RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA) — El Al will begin direct flights between Israel and Brazil next year.
Three weekly flights will link Tel Aviv and Sao Paulo beginning in April. The Israeli airline alsowill offer connecting flights to various destinations in South America, including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and Ecuador, as well as other major cities in Brazil.
According to the Brazil-Israeli Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Israel welcomed some 30,000 Brazilian tourists in 2007. Expectations are that the number will increase, as well the number of Israeli tourists visiting Brazil, who will now be able to avoid a stop in Europe.
"We hope El Al plays an important role in making 2009 a year of great changes for tourism between Brazil and Israel," said Jayme Blay, the chamber’s president.
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