Following the disastrous plane crash in São Paulo Tuesday night, the Federação Internacional de Associações de Pilotos de Linhas Aéreas (Ifalpa in English) has asked for safety reform in Brazilian airports. (full article in Portuguese)

Though perhaps an oversimplification, it seems that the organization is primarily concerned with insufficient runway length and lack of standard measures that could help improve the safety of shorter runways.

Let’s hope that this incident is isolated, and that the long-standing problem of the short runway at Congonhas is solved immediately.

Our hearts and thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy. Don’t let this incident deter you from travelling to Brazil…

Stephen J. Dubner, the Freakonomics’ author, wrote a good blog piece about his apprehensions regarding an upcoming business trip to Brazil. He brings up really good points, not the least of which that a) Brazilian air authority is going to be on high safety alert following such an incident and b) international flights don’t land in Congonhas.

Also, flying is an extremely safe form of travel, much safer than our daily grocery store trips in the car.