Brazil faces challenges in 2014 WC preparation

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SAO PAULO, Feb 26 (AP): Brazil is facing serious hurdles in its race to upgrade airports, improve infrastructure and build stadiums before the 2014 World Cup, according to a report from a government watchdog. In a key year in which work on several World Cup projects is supposed to begin, the Brazilian Audit Court warned of shortcomings in the planning and execution of work across the natison. Officials at all levels are being criticized for missing deadlines, not controlling costs and for a lack of s in planning and financing for that Olympic-style event. Airport renovations in most of the 12 host cities are expected to only begin this year and the report said problems with bidding processes and environmental licensing may cause delays in upgrading Brazil's woeful air transport infrastructure. That's already the case with the Viracopos airport in Campinas, near Sao Paulo. Upgrade work there is behind schedule because of difficulties getting the necessary environmental licenses. Delays in bidding processes are hurting work at the Salvador airport in northeastern Brazil, according to the report. Faltering airport infrastructure and lack of capacity is one of the main concerns ahead of the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Even without those major events, the booming Brazilian economy is rapidly increasing the number of passengers the airports serve as a growing middle class begins using air travel more frequently.