Brazil’s Azul plans to launch nonstop flights to Paris, its second continental European destination, from Sao Paulo in late April.
The carrier said on 17 February that the planned six-times-weekly service to Paris’ Orly airport from Sao Paulo Viracopos will be operated with its new Airbus A350-900 jets. From 31 July, the flight will operate daily.
It is the first connection between Orly, the second-largest airport in France behind Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, and the South American continent, Azul says. Most long-haul flights from Paris to Latin America operate from Charles de Gaulle.
“France is the next largest international market for Brazil after Portugal, and our customers have been asking us to fly there for a long time,” says chief executive John Rodgerson. “Now, thanks to our modern and fuel-efficient A350s we are pleased to add this important destination to our route network.”
“Combined, we can take passengers from 150 destinations in Brazil to France, something that has never been accomplished before,” Rodgerson adds.
Azul already flies to Portuguese capital Lisbon, as well as to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, both in Florida.
According to Cirium fleets data, Azul has two A350s in its fleet, in a three-class configuration and able to carry 334 passengers.
Azul will report fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 earnings on 6 March.
