El Al to commence flights to Brazil on May

El Al will operate three non-stop flights a week to Brazil, using Boeing 777 aircraft for the 14 hour and 45 minute flight
 
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. announced last Monday it would launch its first-ever direct flights to South America - direct flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil, its first new destination in 10 years. The inaugural flight to Sao Paulo, will take off on Saturday nightMay 2.
 
It will operate three non-stop flights a week to Brazil, using Boeing 777 aircraft for the 14 hour and 45 minute flight, leaving on Saturday nights, Mondays and Wednesdays and returning on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Passengers will be able to connect to other destinations throughout Brazil and South America, including cities in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador as well as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador in Brazil.
 
The airline started selling tickets last week, starting at $999 for coach and $3,299 for business.
 
El Al president and CEO Haim Romano said that El Al expects growth in tourism from South America to Israel. Romano added that: "The launching of the route is in line with the company's vision for 2010 which emphasizes expanding and growing through long-distance flights, while meeting the demands of the business and tourism sectors and fostering the flow of tourism to Israel”.