Emirates today launched a new, five weekly service from Dubai to Santiago International Airport, Chile via the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, marking the airline’s first flight to Chile.

On board the inaugural flight, which was welcomed at both Sao Paulo and Santiago airports with a water cannon salute, was a group of special guests and media.

The aircraft deployed on the route is Emirates’ newly refurbished two-class Boeing 777-200LR which offers 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout, and 264 seats in Economy Class.

Flight EK263 departs Dubai on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 09:05hrs local time, arriving Sao Paulo at 17:00, before departing again at 18:30 and arriving into Santiago at 21:40 on the same day.

The return flight EK264 departs Santiago on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 01:10 local time, arrivin Sao Paulo at 05:55. EK264 will depart once again from Sao Paulo at 07:45 bound for Dubai where it will arrive at 05:15 the next day.

Chile is a popular destination for business and leisure travellers around the world, in particular from Asian destinations such as China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and India.

The new service will see Emirates fly an additional 5 times a week to Sao Paulo, complementing the airline’s existing daily A380 flight between Dubai and Sao Paulo. In total, Emirates will now fly 12 times a week to Sao Paulo.

Chile is one of the most stable and prosperous nations in South America filled with stunning landscapes, historic beauty, local charm and delectable foods.