Covid restrictions have prevented Brazilian airline Latam from announcing a date for resumption of Heathrow flights, putting the UK out of line with European countries.
The carrier is resuming or increasing services from its Sao Paulo hub to France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy in October and November, but is unable to operate to the UK due to a government-imposed ban.
Brazil has temporarily suspended all direct flights from or via the UK. Brazil requires all UK visitors to quarantine for 14 days and has temporarily barred foreigners who have been in the UK in the past 14 days to board flights to Brazil.
In addition, Brazil is on the UK’s red list and the FCDO advises against all but essential travel.
The airline said: “As a direct result of the progress in administration of Covid-19 vaccinations in Europe, recently re-established direct services to São Paulo from Madrid and Paris will expand in frequency, increasing from three to four flights per week in October.
“Direct flights to Sao Paulo from Barcelona will follow in November with three services weekly. In the same month Latam will also increase frequencies from Lisbon and Frankfurt to six and four direct flights, respectively, and from December the route between Milan and São Paulo will resume.”
Thibaud Morand, managing director, Europe, added: “We have seen a steady growth in the interest of Europeans and Brazilians for international travel, mainly between countries open to those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.”