South America airlines not World Cup fans

THE 2014 World Cup, which kicks off next week, may not be a cash bonanza for Latin American carriers as has been expected, with business travel expected to take a hit as throngs of travellers make their way to Brazil.

Enrique Cueto Plaza, chief executive of Latam Group, told media at the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) Annual General Meeting this week that the soccer tournament will be unprofitable for the group as business travellers shelve travel plans to avoid the crowds.

The Latam group is a merger between LAN Airlines and Brazil-based TAM Airlines.