US Airways to apply for new flights to Rio de Janeiro

British travellers could soon benefit from improved connections to Brazil via the USA as a result of a new service application by US Airways.

The carrier announced that it had made an application to the department of transportation for daily, year-round flights to Rio de Janeiro from its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A Boeing 767 aircraft will operate the proposed service, offering capacity for 186 passengers in its main cabin.

Doug Parker, US Airways' chairman and chief executive, said Brazil is "an attractive market" for the airline and has been opened up by the government's removal of restrictions on the number of American carriers that can fly to the country.

He added: "As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Charlotte is primed for international expansion.

"With non-stop service to 22 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, expanding our reach to South America from Charlotte is the next logical step."

Charlotte Douglas Airport is US Airways' largest hub, hosting 571 of the airline's daily services and providing connections to 129 non-stop flight destinations.

Posted by Penny, 29 January 2009 15:05

News tags

• Rio De Janeiro
• US Airways