The Holy Week holiday is this weekend, and the movement of those who are going to travel starts from this Thursday (28). At Brasília’s Interstate Bus Station, it is estimated by the Novo Terminal Consórcio that between March 28 and 29, around six thousand people will pass through the establishment, with the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Goiânia, Belo Horizonte, Caldas Novas and São Paulo as the most popular destinations. At Brasília Airport, between March 28th and April 1st, according to Inframerica, 175 thousand passengers are expected to circulate during the Easter holiday. The vast majority of flights are destined for the Southeast and Northeast regions. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Recife are the most popular dates.
Until the first of April, the forecast is for around 24 thousand passengers to leave and arrive in the city via the Brasília bus terminal. Furthermore, according to the concessionaire that manages the Brasília Interstate Bus Station, 71 extra buses will be made available to meet passenger demand. If necessary, more cars can be put into operation.
Massage therapist Alessandra Silva Costa, 47 years old, is going to Paraná. But for her, the holiday will be full of different commitments, as she is traveling to her daughter, Giovanna’s wedding. “She took advantage of this date so that family and friends could attend the ceremony”, says Alessandra.
For her, it’s a mix of feelings, being on her way to her daughter’s wedding. “She took everyone by surprise. Because we expected this wedding for the end of the year, and they brought forward their dream,” she says.
Seamstress Maria da Paz Araújo, 62 years old, will spend the long holiday in Teresina, Piauí. She’s going to take advantage of the fact that she was out of work for a while and then go visit her family. “We take the opportunity to get together during this period. Our tradition is to have red meat-free meals throughout the holiday, including Easter Sunday.” But she has already secured the chocolate that she will take to each of the children in the family.
Physiotherapy student, Júlia de Castro, 19 years old, will meet her family in Unai, Minas Gerais. Julia believes that on this holiday, she should stay quiet with her parents on some farm, and probably participate in the holiday’s religious rites. “My family is Catholic, and I go along on the holidays, but I like the holidays more for the day off, to relax. Although it’s always good to be with family.”
According to Inframerica, around 1,300 landings and takeoffs are planned for the long holiday. Of these, six are extras, included in the Federal District’s air network to meet demand for the festivities.
Biologist and nursing technician, Jamille de Assis Alexandre, 44 years old, is taking advantage of the holiday to visit her boyfriend who lives in São Paulo. “I’m going to go for a walk, really enjoy the holiday and date a little.” Long-distance dating works for both of them, and one is always visiting the other. “After the age of 44 we want a little more peace of mind. We have already lived our marriages, he has lived his, I have lived mine.” She is going to the interior of São Paulo, where she says it is calmer than the capital, as it is coastal.
Law student Miriam Carvalho, 21, is also on her way to São Paulo. She goes to visit her brother, who lives in the metropolitan city. “It’s just that I visit him whenever possible.” This holiday, she will take the opportunity to walk around and see places she hasn’t yet seen in the big city. Miriam prefers to live in Brasília, but her days off and holidays are always with this destination. “It’s really good for walking around.”
Cultural producer Joana Guimarães, 37, almost missed her flight to São Paulo. “I had to board at 3:45 pm, but my son’s original document stayed at home.” But she managed to book the flight again, and won’t miss the trip, where she will take the opportunity to visit her family as a surprise. Joana always tries to visit the city where she was born, as she now lives in the capital of Brazil. “That’s when I go, I don’t write scripts, because I already know it, I go with my feeling.”
This holiday, she will participate in the family’s Easter lunch, while her husband works in Brasília. Joana will also celebrate her son Samuel’s birthday with her relatives, who is 2 and a half years old, but on his birthday, he would not be able to travel. “And in commemoration of him, we are going to hold a small exhibition at my sister’s building, ExposiSam”.
Flight flow
According to the concessionaire, the international flow may be greater during this holiday. There are approximately 7 thousand passengers expected between boarding and disembarking, with around 48 landings and takeoffs. There are six destinations abroad departing directly from Brasília: Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Orlando, Miami, Panama and Lima.
Lawyer Warla Magalhaes, 55 years old, will spend the holiday in Miami. She will stay there for ten days, but says she is not just going for a walk. “We’re going on a church mission,” she adds.
The biggest movement starts this Thursday and Friday from 7am to 10am, and from 5pm to 9pm. On Monday, April 1st, the return of the holiday, it should attract around 40 thousand people throughout the day, with peak flow from 7am to 10am.
