No-fly zones above Brazil World Cup venues

Brazil is to set up no-fly zones in airspace surrounding World Cup venues hosting matches during the tournament, it was reported Sunday.

The O Globo newspaper reported that authorities would exclude air traffic within a seven-kilometer radius of each stadium on the days when they stage matches.

The decisions will cause disruption at eight airports near World Cup stadiums that fall within or are near to the exclusion zones.

At least 805 flights will be canceled because of the move while a further 150 will be rerouted, disrupting travel for around 16,000 passengers on Brazilian carriers such as Gol, TAM, Avianca and Azul, O Globo reported.

Host cities affected by the move include Rio, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Manaus, Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba.

Only military aircraft will be allowed within the exclusion zones, the report said.

The no-fly zones will operate differently depending on each venue.

For the opening match of the tournament at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao Stadium, when Brazil faces Croatia, the exclusion zone will be in force for three hours before kick-off and four hours after the final whistle.

A similar exclusion zone would be set up on the day of the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.