Emirates celebrates launch in Brazilian style

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman and Chief Executive, celebrated the airline’s historic launch of services to South America on Wednesday by hosting a gala dinner for over 600 guests in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Emirates’ arrival in Sao Paulo represents the airline’s 94th destination, 60th country and its first gateway into South America as the carrier quickly expands its network around the world. With the opening of the route to Sao Paulo, Emirates now flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed was accompanied to Sao Paulo by a delegation from Emirates including Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline; Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide; Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Divisional Senior Vice President, Chairman's Office, Facilities, Projects Management and Procurement and Logistics (Non-Airline) and Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo. In Sao Paulo, the delegation was joined by Emirates’ Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations - The Americas and Ralf Aasmann, Country Manager Brazil.

During the glittering evening, which was held at Daslu, Sao Paulo’s most fashionable venue, Sheikh Ahmed addressed his guests saying, “I would like to thank the Brazilian Government, the Ministry of Tourism - Embratur, S.P. Turis, ANAC - the Civil Aviation Agency, INFRAERO and the Brazilian Arabian Chamber of Commerce for helping us launch services to South America.

“Emirates looks forward to forming a strong bond with Brazil in terms of trade and tourism. With our non-stop service, we will bring tourists and business people from across our network to Sao Paulo. Travellers from Brazil are now able to take advantage of our hub in Dubai to connect to over 90 destinations around the world, including Lebanon, China, Japan and India.”

Guests at the Emirates Gala Dinner were entertained by The String Angels from Australia, ‘The Spirit of the Dance’ from the UK and Brazilian singing sensation, Daniela Mercury.

During their stay in Brazil, Sheikh Ahmed and his delegation travelled to the Brazilian capital Brasilia to meet with His Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil. Sheikh Ahmed also met with José Serra, the Governor of Sao Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, the Mayor of Sao Paulo and His Excellency Yousef Ali Al-Usaimi, the UAE Ambassador to Brazil.