June 03--ABU DHABI -- Etihad Airways has launched non-stop flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the airline's first destination in South America.
Three weekly flights will take off from Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The new Brazil service marks Etihad Airways' entry into its sixth continent and an important move in increasing its presence across BRIC high growth nations.
Brazil has the world's sixth largest economy -- larger than that of the UK --and it is the largest country in South America with the biggest population, almost 200 million.
The flight to Brazil will open new avenues of economic development and boost tourism. Travel advisor, Bilal Chaudhry, who works at Abu Dhabi-based National Travel and Tours, saw great scope for the new flight from Abu Dhabi.
Brazil was a top tourist destination and Etihad Airways would narrow the big vacuum for flights to get there, he said.
"There are no direct flights from India and Pakistan to Brazil, which will make this flight very popular and will bring transit passengers to Abu Dhabi to boost its economy," Bilal said. Also, the increased competition will one day bring down the fares, which are presently quite high, the tour operator said. Etihad Airways' first ever commercial flight to Beirut ten years ago used a wet-leased aircraft, operated by a Brazilian crew.
Several of those first cabin crew and pilots are still working with the Abu Dhabi-based airline, which has since become the World's Leading Airline with its own fleet of 77 modern aircraft. Etihad Airways operates an Airbus A340-500 aircraft to Sao Paulo, seating a total of 240 passengers across three cabins; 12 in Diamond First, 28 Pearl Business and 200 Coral Economy class seats.
Etihad Airways carried 10.3 million passengers last year. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 92 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 77 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 90 aircraft on firm order, including 41 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A380s, world's largest passenger aircraft.
Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus and, subject to regulatory approval, will acquire 24 per cent of India's Jet Airways.
Copyright 2013 - Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
