Air Travel Safety in Brazil - What Has Changed?

Last week, several events were held in Brazil to mark one year since the crash of TAM flight 3054 at Congonhas Airport, in São Paulo. On July 17, 2007, 199 people and two unborn children died when the Airbus A320 coming from Porto Alegre was unable to stop at landing and exploded after hitting a TAM building.

The accident caused the highest death toll in the history of Brazilian aviation. The second worst death toll was caused by a a mid-air collision over Mato Grosso on September 29, 2006, which killed the 154 people on Gol Flight 1907.

What has changed in Brazil air travel since the two crashes? For one, deficiencies in the administration of air travel in Brazil have been exposed, enabling society to debate problems. A key force in the push for change has been the associations of families and friends of victims of the two plane crashes. While fighting for justice, they have also kept close track of governmental decisions and persistently demanded solutions for air travel safety in Brazil.