US Airways announced that it has filed an application with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate daily, year-round service between the airline’s largest hub in Charlotte, North Carolina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, later this year. The proposed service will be operated with Boeing 767 aircraft with seating for 18 in Envoy Class and 186 in the main cabin. Service would originate at the airline's hub in Philadelphia.

“Brazil is an attractive market for US Airways and fits well into our commitment to expand our international service,” said Doug Parker, US Airways’ chairman and CEO. “We applaud the Department of Transportation in securing new frequencies between the U.S. and Brazil and the Brazilian government in eliminating restrictions on the number of U.S. carriers permitted to fly to the country.

“As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Charlotte is primed for international expansion. With non-stop service to 22 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America, expanding our reach to South America from Charlotte is the next logical step.”

“New service from Charlotte to Rio de Janeiro will open up a convenient and competitive option for business and tourism travel to Brazil,” said North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. “The opportunity for US Airways to offer its first direct air link to Brazil is important to our international and domestic service and economic needs.”

"We are excited about the possibilities of adding another international flight and connecting Charlotte to South America through Brazil,” said Pat McCrory, Mayor, City of Charlotte. “We greatly appreciate US Airways’ efforts to continually look for opportunities to expand flight choices for the Charlotte region."

Each year more than 13 million US Airways customers fly through Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Charlotte is the airline’s largest hub in terms of daily flights - 571 - and nonstop destinations - 129. Customers in 82 communities throughout the United States will have easy, one-stop connecting service to Rio de Janeiro with the proposed new route.