Brazilian operator Lider Aviacao and Sertões, the largest rally in the Americas, have signed a partnership that guarantees safety and comfort to the Sertões caravan, which leaves São Paulo on 31 October and arrives in Barreirinhas on 7 November. Líder will be responsible for the operation of two aircraft that will provide aeromedical services to competitors. In addition, the company will offer a charter service for those who want to return from the event.

“After 62 years of exploring the skies of Brazil and the world, it was time to embark on this adventure across the land. We are very happy with this partnership and to provide participants with even more security, with the responsibility and care that this year demands,” says Bruna Assumpção, superintendent director of aircraft maintenance, charter and management, Lider Aviacao.

For Joaquim Monteiro, CEO of Sertões, this partnership has total synergy with Sertões. “We travel in remote locations, far from large urban centres, so we need to be self-sufficient in case of medical rescue. The aerial team of Sertões has a great responsibility, which is to provide security to competitors. With Lider, in addition to security, we add comfort with the availability of seats and charter flights. It gives us a great satisfaction to announce this partnership and to be able to count on Lider's experience.”

“Executive aviation is a mobility tool that allows you to reach destinations that commercial aviation often does not consider, as is the case with many of the places in the rally's itinerary,” Assumpção adds. She also emphasises that when hiring a private flight, in addition to the safety of a smaller number of interactions during the journey, it is possible to go further, optimise the time and travel with all the tranquility and exclusivity that this type of service offers.

According to the latest data released by ANAC, executive aviation reached a total of 1,261 municipalities through 2,527 aerodromes in 2018. In the same year commercial aviation connected only 140 Brazilian municipalities. “This is a clear differential in a country like Brazil with continental dimensions, especially at a time when the commercial air network has been reduced due to the pandemic. In other words, get there faster and where you need to be safely," confirms Assumpção.

This August, ANAC released a new regulation that allows air taxi companies to sell individual seats to their users. At Lider Aviacao this service will be offered through seat sharing and will start from the first week of September through the company's app and, subsequently, on its website. These platforms will allow the user to book the flight in a single environment, from the quote, as well as the payment of the charter via credit card or bank transfer.

Whoever charters an aircraft can then share the seats not used by selling them on the Lider Aviacao platform, providing an opportunity to dilute the cost of contracting. There is also the possibility to search for available seats in a quick and practical way. Seat sharing will offer attractive prices ​​and greatly benefit the customer who frequently needs the mobility and security that only executive aviation provides. For the occasion, Lider Aviacao has launched an exclusive hot site for Sertões participants who want to register their interest in purchasing seats for the return of the event. Through the dedicated website sertoes.lideraviacao.com.br it will be possible to register one's interest and a team of consultants will return with the possibilities and options.

Lider Aviacao has more than 40 years of experience and has performed more than 7,500 patient transfers across Brazil and in other countries. For the Sertões International Rally, two helicopters configured with aerial ICUs will be in operation to ensure safety and medical care for all teams in the competition.

“Participants will be able to count on all the expertise and security of our operation, especially at times like this that require special care. To this end, we have reinforced the aircraft's hygiene, disinfection and asepsis protocols, following all prevention guidelines from national and international health agencies,” emphasises Assumpção.

The Sertões is the largest rally in the Americas, and the 28th edition of the event brings relevant adaptations in its three dimensions: Sport, Social and Tourism. The mission this year is to bring access to quality medicine and economic development to remote and underserved communities in Brazil. This year the social action SAS - Saúde e Alegria no Sertões brings an innovative project under two pillars: The installation of telemedicine booths for free quality medical care, and the acquisition of basic food baskets from small local producers that will be distributed in the regions, to those without work and income. The competitive side of the race was adapted and has a special security protocol with 10 measures. The caravan will be isolated in bubbles during the journey, in closed camps.