The agreement will provide the legal and regulatory framework for the operation of scheduled air services between Ireland and Brazil.
DAA, which operates Dublin Airport and Cork Airport, has ongoing discussions with airlines looking to inaugurate routes from Dublin to Brazil, as well as to India and South Africa.
It has identified Sao Paulo as the most sought-after destination in Brazil for travel between the country and Ireland.
About 140,000 passengers travelled between Dublin and Brazil in 2024 using connecting flights.
There are approximately 40,000 Brazilians living in Ireland, a population that has more than doubled within a decade.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, who is in Brazil this week for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, confirmed Ireland is opening talks with a view to finalising the air services agreement.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Getty
“A bilateral air services agreement between Ireland and Brazil would send a strong signal to industry of the commitment our two governments have to facilitating direct connectivity between our two countries which would realise significant benefits for tourism and trade and further develop the growing bonds between our people,” he said.
His department hopes that the demand for a route between Ireland and Brazil will be met by a carrier from Ireland or another EU country, or Brazil.
Brazil’s ports and airports minister Silvio Costa Filho said establishing an air route between the countries could boost tourism. “The bilateral air services agreement between Brazil and Ireland represents an opportunity not only to expand aviation links between the two countries, but also to boost tourism between Latin America and Europe,” he said.
Sao Paulo in Brazil is South America’s biggest city. (Stock photo)
News in 90 seconds – March 10
DAA has previously noted that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport was acting as a barrier to establishing new routes.
While the cap ostensibly limits annual passenger numbers at the gateway to 32 million, Dublin Airport handled 36.4 million last year.
The Government is currently pushing through legislation to remove the cap.
DAA said this week passenger numbers at Dublin Airport rose almost 10pc year-on-year in February, to more than 2.3 million. They were almost 15pc higher in January. Its numbers for March will be impacted by the Middle East conflict, which saw the cancellation of about 80 flights in just a week, hitting about 30,000 passengers.