Airlines

Virgin Atlantic launches first-ever South American service to Sao Paulo

Virgin Atlantic will begin offering flights to São Paulo, Brazil, on September 6. The airline’s thrilling new route will begin daily service on May 13, 2024, with roundtrip Economy rates starting at £686 per person. The 11-hour, 55-minute flight will be operated by a Boeing 787 aircraft and will be the airline’s first route to the South American continent.

São Paulo, one of the world’s most populous cities, is home to global corporations, giving corporate clients and business travellers the opportunity to fly in Virgin Atlantic flair. The city is known as Brazil’s cuisine capital, a lively metropolis with an abundance of arts and cultural events that will enthral experience hungry leisure travellers.

Three new A380 destinations, three continents, one day(Opens in a new browser tab)

Brazil’s status as South America’s leading import and export country will make São Paulo a popular freight route. Virgin Atlantic aims to handle frequent shipments of car parts, pharmaceuticals, food, and agricultural items with multiple tonnes of capacity each day, contributing to £7.7 billion** in yearly trade between the two countries.

Additionally, customers travelling from São Paulo to London Heathrow will have the option to smoothly connect to Virgin Atlantic’s rest of world destinations through Terminal 3 – home of the airline’s award-winning Clubhouse – including Tel Aviv, Delhi, Mumbai and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic to start daily flights from UK to São Paulo, Brazil and Bengaluru(Opens in a new browser tab)

The airline will return to Dubai in October 2023 to expand chances for clients seeking premium winter sun. There will also be a new seasonal route to Las Vegas from Manchester Airport, the airline’s northern hub, beginning in June 2024.

Cabin	Return fare per person
Economy	£ 686
Premium	£1126
Upper	£2744

Service operates: London Heathrow (LHR) – Sao Paulo (GRU)

Frequency: Daily, year-round, launching 13 May 2024

Flight number: VS193 / VS194

Schedule: LHR-GRU 12:45 – 20:20 and GRU-LHR 22:10 – 13:25

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Configuration: 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, 192 Economy

What’s included: A full service onboard offering including complimentary food and drink and over 300 hours of entertainment (movies, TV and music). All aircraft are WiFi-enabled.

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.