Etihad Airways, UAE's national airline, which launched flights three times a week to Brazil this month, plans to operate daily flights to the destination from October 27.

The airline now connects Brazil-based air travellers, via Abu Dhabi, with popular destinations across the Arabian Gulf, North Africa and the Levant, as well as further east in China and Japan and across Asia, said a statement.

“Our services to Sao Paulo provide the first direct air link between the commercial centres of Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi, which support the growing economic, tourism and trade relations between Brazil and the UAE," said James Hogan, president and CEO.

Sultan Rashed Al Kaitoob, UAE Ambassador to Brazil, said: “These direct flights by Etihad Airways will create new opportunities for government, trade and tourism between both countries to develop and flourish.”

“Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and offers a wide array of opportunities for trade and investment. It is also currently the UAE’s 17th largest trading partner with bilateral trade between the two countries valued at US$2.85 billion and both governments hope to increase this to US$10 billion within five years.”

Etihad Cargo’s new round-the-world freighter routing, in conjunction with Atlas Air Worldwide, includes the Brazilian city of Viracopos. - TradeArabia News Service