Chinese airline Air China will stop flying from Madrid to São Paulo on 14 September. Higher fuel costs is the reason being argued for the interruption of the service. On its announcement the airline states it intends to fly that route again in 2009 – whether that will be the case it remains to be seen.

Anyone with Air China tickets in their hands is urged to get in touch with the company asap.

Vía: Panrotas

Passengers beware! Brazil airline Varig has just announced it is cancelling all its flights from Mexico City, Madrid and Paris to Brazil. The flight from Mexico City to São Paulo will cease to operate on May 11, the flight from Madrid to São Paulo on May 12, and the flight from Paris to São Paulo on June 9. Be very careful as chances are the company will continue selling tickets for dates beyond the ones they will be operating flights on those routes.

Once again, we have to advice travellers to be extra careful when buying flights with Varig. The company announces and cancels routes on a whim, and the passenger is always caught unawares.

TAM just got official permission to begin operating flights to Madrid (seven flights per week) and Frankfurt (three flights per week). According to the company, the flights will be in operation before the end of the year.

This is spectacular news for those of us who’ve had to endure Iberia’s domination over the São Paulo – Madrid route. Since the disappearance of Varig, no other major airline flew to Madrid on a daily basis. I hope the new competition (with Varig joining the ranks soon) will force Iberia to get their act together – otherwise, if the Spanish carrier continues offering an abysmal standard of service, TAM will thrash it.

As new details emerge, you will be informed here at this blog.

The full news item can be read at Mercado e Eventos (in Portuguese). I heard the story first from Aquela Passagem!, by our super well-informed friend Rodrigo Purisch.