The government of Alagoas has announced the introduction of a groundbreaking direct international flight connecting Córdoba, Argentina, to Maceió, Brazil, marking a significant development for local tourism and the economy.
This initiative was revealed by Governor Paulo Dantas alongside the Secretary of State for Tourism, Bárbara Braga, highlighting their commitment to enhancing the region's economic prospects. According to Dantas, the new flight is expected to invigorate the economy with around R$ 13 million anticipated from the influx of over two thousand foreign tourists visiting Alagoas.
“Tourism is the protagonist of our economic development. Given this scenario, tourism is a major priority for the investments of the Government of Alagoas. Everything done, whether in tourism or any other area, has resulted in gains for the state’s economy,” Dantas stated, underscoring the flight's potential economic benefits.
The flight, operated by Flybondi, will make 11 rotations and is aimed at promoting economic development and creating jobs and income. Braga emphasized the broader significance of this achievement for their tourism destination, marking Flybondi’s debut operation within Brazil’s Northeast region.
“This is a significant victory for our tourist destination and our current administration,” Braga noted, emphasizing the strategic importance of Flybondi's operation. She also detailed the preparation efforts made by the Secretary of State for Tourism (Setur) to support this new route, including the training of about 2,500 Argentine travel agents to facilitate bookings.
Braga mentioned the current partnerships with Gol airline connecting Maceió to Buenos Aires during high seasons. She stated, “Expanding to the Córdoba market is another strategic step to broaden the presence of foreign tourism in our state.”
Tourists from nearby cities to Córdoba, such as Rosario, Santa Fe, and Tucumán, are expected to be attracted by this new service. “These regions have a public with great interest in our destinations. Throughout 2024, we have implemented various promotional activities in these locations, reinforcing our presence within the Argentine market,” Braga elaborated.
Braga also pointed out Alagoas’s participation at the ACAV Workshop (Cordoba Association of Travel Agencies) last November, where the new flight was highlighted and widely promoted. This reflects the proactive partnership approaches employed to maximize the destination's visibility and appeal.
According to Aena Brasil, from January to October 2024, the International Airport Zumbi dos Palmares recorded the arrival of 15,083 passengers from Argentina via weekly flights from Buenos Aires. This establishes the groundwork for even greater success with the newly launched Córdoba-Maceió route.
The new flight unambiguously reinforces Alagoas’s standing as one of Brazil's premier tourist destinations, showcasing the state’s commitment to investing in tourism as pivotal to economic sustainability. By enhancing connectivity with international markets, the state aims to boost not only the flow of visitors but also contribute significantly to local businesses and employment opportunities.
With the focus on travel and tourism becoming increasingly relevant, the introduction of this direct flight holds promising potential to shape the state's future economic prospects.