Government and Airlines Discuss Extra World Cup Flights

08/23/2013 - 10h02

FIFA has begun discussions with the government regarding the creation of a series of extra flights between host cities during next year's World Cup. FIFA's intention is to ensure that fans do not always have to pass through the airports in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo when travelling between cities during the event.

12 cities are due to host matches during the tournament, with management at FIFA being particularly concerned about travel to far-flung Cuiabá and Manaus. They are currently in discussion with Brazilian airlines in order to find a solution.

'We are considering all alternatives, in order to ensure the greatest level of comfort and mobility both for Brazilian fans and for those coming from abroad,' said Aldo Rebelo, the Minister for Sport.

The objective is to define the routes of the additional flights by the end of the year. On Thursday, FIFA concluded another visit to Brazil for inspection purposes, this time visiting São Paulo, Curitiba and Manaus.

This week, the first tickets went on sale. FIFA's marketing director, Thierry Weil, confirmed that more than 2.3 million requests have already been made online.

The majority of requests (65%) are for tickets in category 4, the cheapest category. The demand is most intense for tickets for the opening match, which will take place at the Itaquerão in São Paulo. According to FIFA, 372,000 requests have already been made. In October, FIFA will randomly select the successful requests.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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