VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A., which operates the VARIG brand, is starting its newest international route with a daily service to London - São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro.

The daily flight will depart from London Heathrow at 10:05 PM (local time), making a connection at Guarulhos International Airport to arrive at Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport at 10:00 AM (local time) the next day. The return flight leaves Rio de Janeiro’s Tom Jobim International Airport at 8:30 PM (local time), stopping at Guarulhos International Airport before continuing to London, arriving at Heathrow International Airport at 3:00 PM (local time).

“Launching this new route to London is another important step in VARIG’s international expansion plan, which already includes flights from key European cities in France, Germany and Italy,” said Lincoln Amano, Commercial Director at VARIG. “By adding London to our route network, we are further increasing the number of daily flight options between Europe and South America.” VARIG currently flies from Frankfurt, Germany; Paris, France and Rome, Italy. The Company’s international routes in South America include Bogotá, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina and Caracas, Venezuela.

According to the Brazilian Tourism Ministry, London is one of the most popular destinations for Brazilian leisure and business travellers, while England ranks among the top 10 countries, providing tourists to Brazil. London was added to VARIG’s route network to serve the increasing demand for flights between the two countries: in 2006, approximately 170,000 English tourists travelled to Brazil, while nearly 175,000 Brazilians travelled to England over the same period.
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