TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –US Airways (LCC:NYSE) today announced that it will launch daily non-stop service to Sao Paulo, Brazil from its largest hub at Charlotte, N.C. beginning May 5, 2013. The new route is US Airways’ second destination in South America and complements the airline’s existing non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro from Charlotte. US Airways will operate service to Brazil’s largest city on Boeing 767-200 aircraft with seating for 18 in Envoy, US Airways’ international business class, and 186 in the main cabin.
[quote]”US Airways’ new service to South America’s most important business market strengthens our international network and provides consumers throughout the United States and Brazil with a convenient new travel option,” said Andrew Nocella, US Airways’ senior vice president, Marketing and Planning. “Brazil is important for US Airways, which has served Rio de Janeiro since 2009. Thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation and key stakeholders, we are now able to expand our presence to the largest market in the country.”
“With the addition of US Airways’ new route to Sao Paulo, Charlotte now boasts two flights to the world’s sixth-largest economy,” said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. “Through their ongoing expansion of overseas service, our Airport and US Airways continue to cement Charlotte’s reputation as an international city where businesses want to locate and people want to live.” [/quote]
The Sao Paulo flight adds to US Airways’ growing international operation at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Last month, the airline announced new service to London’s Heathrow Airport and earlier in the year increased its frequency of service to Frankfurt, Germany for the busy summer travel season.
The flight schedule is as follows:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) ? Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
Flight ? ? Departure ? ?Arrival
802 ? ? ? ? 5:50 p.m.? ? 4:30 a.m.*
*Flight arrives next day.
Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) ? Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)**
Flight ? ? Departure ? ?Arrival
803 ? ? ? ? 8:25 a.m. ? ? 5:25 p.m.
**First day of operation for Charlotte-bound flight is May 6, 2013.
[box type=”tick”]About US Airways
US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates nearly 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide, operates the world’s largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,500 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance magazine presented US Airways with the 2012 Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Year Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement and innovation in the area of technical operations. Military Times Edge magazine named US Airways as a Best of Vets employer in 2011 and 2012. US Airways was, for the third year in a row, the only airline included as one of the 50 best companies to work for in the U.S. by LATINA Style magazine’s 50 Report. The airline also earned a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index for six consecutive years. The Corporate Equality index is a leading indicator of companies’ attitudes and policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers.[/box]