ETIHAD Airways is keen to expand its footprint in South America, said president and chief executive officer, James Hogan.
Hogan said that the airline is currently in discussions with South American-based carriers about potential commercial partnerships. The airline will launch its first route in South America on June 1, 2013, with daily non-stop flights between Sao Paulo, Brazil and its home base of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways’ service will also provide seamless connections from Brazil to the airline’s global network, offering connectivity over Abu Dhabi to markets in the GCC, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia.
Hogan added, “Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, now ranking as the sixth largest since overtaking the UK in 2011.
“In addition to supporting the growing ties between Brazil and the Middle East, this new route complements Etihad Airways’ recent expansion in North Asia, including the recent introduction of services to Chengdu and Shanghai and the upcoming increase to daily Tokyo services with connections to Nagoya from April 2013.