The Voa Brasil, a program by the Brazilian federal government to offer discounted airfare to certain consumers, is in the process of defining its rules and does not yet have a date for implementation. Nevertheless, scammers are already creating websites and social media profiles and sending links via messaging apps and SMS, impersonating the program’s managers to steal citizens’ data and money.
The Ministry of Ports and Airports, responsible for Voa Brasil, has issued a warning that if a citizen receives any message selling tickets or requesting the completion of registrations in the name of Voa Brasil, they should report it through the ministry’s user service channels:
• Online: Fala BR
• By email: ouvidoria@mpor.gov.br
• By phone: (61) 2029-8090
The program
According to Agência Brasil, the program aims to initially benefit retirees, pensioners, and public servants who have not flown in the last 12 months. Each leg of the trip will be fixed at R$ 200, and each person will be allowed to purchase a maximum of four legs.
No public resources are expected to be used in the program, as the goal is to utilize only the empty seats of airlines. In the first phase, the expectation is to sell 1.5 million tickets per month.
The cheapest tickets are expected to be sold outside of the high season, during the periods from February to June and from August to November, when the average domestic flight occupancy is generally 21%.
Source: Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais