Brazil air travel up 194% in 10 years

Air travel infrastructure in Brazil, scene of the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, is creaking under the strain of an unprecedented boom in incoming and outbound travel. In the last 10 years, demand for flights originating in Brazil has almost tripled, from 34.3 million passengers in 2002 to 107.8 million in 2011. The combination of existing and future demand is causing serious worries for Brazil's civil aviation agency, with poor runways, radar problems, congested airports and long delays.

Hugely expensive improvements to at least seven airports in the country were promised by Brazilian officials before securing the right to host the major upcoming sporting events. But a deadline pledged earlier for these crucial works, the Confederations Cup in June 2013, will not now be met, raising doubts about 2014.