While it is possible that some of the decrease in Brazilian passengers is attributable to bargain airfare specials, there is no getting around the fact that unemployment in Brazil, together with the devalued Brazilian currency, are the major causes of less Brazilian passengers on the planes between the U.S. and Brazil and vice versa.
Economies are somewhat like a teeter-totter. One economy goes up while another goes down. And, the changes continue. That is just the way things are.
A dozen years ago, Americans (and some from other countries) could visit Brazil for little money. Hotels, food (and garotos) were dirt cheap.
Then, the Brazilian economy improved and things became expensive for Americans and other tourists. Many Americans stopped visiting Brazil, totally.
Prices in hotels tripled or quadrupled, food in restaurants tripled or quadruped and so forth, as did other commodities and necessities that are found in Brazil. The only thing that did not triple or quadruple is the price asked by garotos.
The price of garotos has increased a little but no where near the rate of inflation. Despite that small increase, most garotos are pleased with what they earn because the money they earn is far greater than what they would make if they had a conventional job, or no job at all.
Although prices for most things in Brazil have increased, this is partially offset by the current favorable exchange rate to foreigners for the local currency. By no means does the favorable exchange rate cancel out the inflation that took place over the past decade.
Once again, the teeter-totter has made visiting Brazil a bargain.
The present air fare war only adds to the savings for visiting Brazil.