Air New Zealand and Varig Brazil launch special fare range from Australia to South America

South America, one of the world's hottest new tourist destinations, and a rapidly expanding business market, has just become more accessible for Australian travellers through a comprehensive new programme of joint air fares announced today by Star Alliance partners Air New Zealand and the Brazilian carrier Varig.

The two airlines have launched a package of fares from throughout Australia to 26 South American destinations in five countries using Air New Zealand's trans Pacific services to Los Angeles and Varig's services from LA to the hub airports of Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, and beyond.

The new fares will be offered in First, Business and Economy Classes to accommodate all segments of this major market, which is growing rapidly through increased business activity and soaring tourism demand, ranging from unstructured and adventure travel to quality touring.

Of increasing interest are internationally renowned attractions including the Inca ruins of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, Iguassu Falls, the spectacular and Andes and the Amazon jungle.

"South America adds a major new dimension to Air New Zealand's offerings in the Americas," said the airline's Vice President Australia, Mr Paul Donovan. 

" We recently announced six extra flights per week from Australia and New Zealand to Los Angeles, and this initiative with Varig serves as yet another example of the route network options and global service quality offered by members of the Star Alliance."

Mr Melvyn Almedia, General Manager Australia and New Zealand for World Aviation Systems - Varig's General Sales Agent - said the joint fares with Air New Zealand offered travellers a new, affordable and comprehensive way of experiencing the many attractions of South America.

"Varig offers daily services from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, with frequent onward connections from both to a wide range of destinations," said Mr Almeida. "Our services from Los Angeles are operated with three-class McDonnell Douglas MD11 trijets, seating 282 passengers - 12 in First Class, 49 in Business Class and 221 in Economy Class."

The new air fares are based on three travel zones in South America, and are offered in First, Business and Economy classes, subject to each being available on the route flown. 

They cover :

Zone 1 covers travel from Los Angeles to Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Lima (Peru), Montevideo (Uruguay) and Santiago (Chile).

Zone 2 encompasses travel entirely within Brazil, to the capital Brasilia, plus Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Iguassu Falls, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and Vitoria.

Zone 3 also covers flights entirely within Brazil, to Belem, Campo Grande, Florianopolis, Joao Pessoa, Manaus, Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Sao Luiz, Tefe and Tabatinga.

Stopovers are permitted in Auckland, Los Angeles and Rio De Janeiro or Sao Paolo, depending upon the route traveled.