Etihad to launch Sao Paulo route in 2013

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways will launch flights to Sao Paulo from June 2013, the carrier’s first South American route, the airline has said. The daily flights will leave Abu Dhabi at 09.45, arriving in Sao Paulo at 05.55 local time. Return flights will leave at 12.35, arriving in the UAE capital at 08.20. “Brazil is a logical next step for us and will mark the sixth continent we serve and our coming of age as a truly global airline,” James Hogan, president and CEO of Etihad Airways, said in a statement. Etihad Airways, which announced its first ever profit in February, is growing its route network as it competes with Dubai’s Emirates and Qatar Airways as all three carriers look to transform the Gulf into a new hub for global aviation. The Abu Dhabi-based airline has announced several new routes so far this year including Washington DC, Basra, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Ahmadabad and as yet unnamed service to Vietnam. The airline plans to fly up to 100 destinations with a fleet of more than 150 aircraft by 2020. The carrier in April said first quarter revenues increased 28 percent year-on-year to US$989m on the back of increased passengers, setting it on target to achieve a second year of profitability. “[It’s] a good start to the year. There are always challenges but certainly I am bullish about the way forward and very focused that we’ll achieve profitability again this year,” Hogan said. “We’re certainly looking at being a US$5bn business this year, last year was just over US$4bn,” he added. From Arabian Business