Dubai: Emirates said it will commence daily non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro and extension to Buenos Aires from January 3, 2012.
"Both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are rightly renowned as world-class leisure destinations as well as important business and trading centres. Our research has shown that there is a high demand for these cities from across our network," said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group.
Global spotlight
"Brazil has been part of the Emirates network since 2007 when we began flights from Dubai to Sao Paulo. With the country playing host to both the 2014 Fifa World Cup and 2016 Olympics, Brazil will be further catapulted into the world's spotlight, and we will be in a prime position to transport sports enthusiasts to these renowned events," he added. "Meanwhile, our first service to Argentina is a much-anticipated addition to our network."
"Emirates' plans to implement services from Dubai to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro will play an important role in increasing tourism, trade and investment between Argentina, Brazil and the UAE, in addition to the airline's vast global network," said Carlos Enrique Meyer, Minister of Tourism of Argentina.
The Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering eight First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat seats in Business and 304 seats in Economy.
Starting January 3, 2012, EK 247 will leave Dubai daily at 7.05am and arrive at Rio's Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 3.35pm. It will depart Rio at 5.20pm and arrive at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport at 7.30pm.
