ITA Airways is reinforcing one of its most important South American connections after flight AZ678 from Rome Fiumicino to São Paulo Guarulhos carried 303 passengers and achieved a powerful 95% occupancy rate.
Operated by an Airbus A350-900, the high-demand service departed Rome at 10:00 and arrived in São Paulo at 16:55 local time. Its nearly full cabin demonstrates the continuing strength of direct travel between Italy and Brazil, supporting tourism, business journeys, family visits and cultural connections across the Atlantic.
The performance also highlights the strategic value of nonstop long-haul services linking major international gateways. ITA Airways promotes direct travel between Rome and São Paulo throughout the week, with an estimated journey time of approximately 12 hours and 20 minutes.
Strong Occupancy Reflects Sustained Passenger Demand
Carrying 303 passengers on a single long-haul departure represents a significant flow of travellers between Europe and South America.
The 95% occupancy rate indicates that direct connectivity remains highly attractive, particularly for passengers seeking to avoid additional transfers through other European or Latin American hubs.
Demand is supported by the deep historical relationship between Italy and Brazil. Large communities with Italian heritage live across Brazil, while tourism, education, trade and family connections generate regular two-way travel.
São Paulo plays a particularly important role in this market. Official Italian tourism information previously identified São Paulo Guarulhos as the principal Brazilian origin airport for travellers heading to Italy, with Rome Fiumicino receiving the largest individual share of that traffic.
Airbus A350 Supports High-Capacity Long-Haul Travel
The deployment of the Airbus A350-900 underlines the importance of the São Paulo route within ITA Airways’ intercontinental network.
Designed for long-distance operations, the widebody aircraft combines substantial passenger capacity with modern aerodynamics, advanced technology and improved fuel efficiency compared with older-generation aircraft.
For travellers, the A350 provides a cabin designed around extended journeys, with multiple travel classes, in-flight entertainment and seating products intended to improve comfort during transatlantic services.
ITA Airways also offers additional-legroom seating on its Airbus A350-900 and A330-900 aircraft, giving passengers another option when preparing for a long international flight.
Using a high-capacity aircraft allows the airline to accommodate demand efficiently while consolidating passengers on a nonstop connection between two globally important cities.
Rome Fiumicino Opens Access Across Italy and Europe
Rome Fiumicino provides Brazilian passengers with access to Italy’s capital as well as connecting services across the airline’s domestic and European network.
Rome remains a major destination for heritage, religious, culinary and cultural tourism. Visitors arriving from Brazil can explore the capital before continuing to cities such as Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples and other regional destinations.
ITA Airways describes its wider network as providing extensive coverage across Italy alongside connections to major European and Mediterranean cities. This makes Fiumicino more than an endpoint for passengers arriving from São Paulo; it also functions as a transfer hub for onward journeys.
Brazilian interest in Italy has shown strong growth in recent years. Official Italian tourism figures recorded approximately 220,000 airport passengers arriving from Brazil during 2023, an increase of about 52% over the previous year.
During the first three months of 2024, arrivals were estimated at around 45,000, representing further annual growth of 14.3%.
São Paulo Connects Travellers With Brazil
At the opposite end of the route, São Paulo Guarulhos provides Italian and European passengers with access to Brazil’s largest commercial centre and a broad network of onward domestic flights.
São Paulo attracts visitors for business, gastronomy, cultural events, entertainment and major international exhibitions. It also acts as a gateway to destinations across Brazil, allowing arriving passengers to continue towards coastal resorts, historic cities and nature-based tourism regions.
Direct service from Rome therefore supports more than travel to São Paulo itself. It feeds visitors into Brazil’s wider aviation and tourism network while giving Brazilian residents a convenient nonstop option for reaching Italy.
The connection also supports corporate mobility between two major economies, alongside demand generated by students, visiting friends and relatives, international events and premium leisure travel.
Italy Targets Higher-Value South American Tourism
The strength of the route aligns with Italy’s efforts to expand its tourism presence in Brazil and the wider South American market.
Italy’s national tourism agency has promoted luxury, cultural and heritage travel to South American visitors. Official figures showed that arrivals from Latin America increased by 58.4% in 2023, while overnight stays rose by 44.8% and tourism expenditure climbed by 83%.
Italy and Brazil also continue to emphasise their historical, cultural and social relationship. An official Italian event held in São Paulo in June 2026 highlighted the scale and importance of the Italian-Brazilian community.
Rome–São Paulo Route Holds Long-Term Tourism Value
The performance of flight AZ678 demonstrates how direct long-haul aviation can strengthen tourism economies on both sides of the Atlantic.
For Italy, the route brings Brazilian visitors into Rome and supports onward travel across the country. For Brazil, it delivers European tourists and business travellers into São Paulo while opening connections to destinations throughout the nation.
With 303 passengers, 95% occupancy and the Airbus A350-900 supporting the journey, ITA Airways’ Rome–São Paulo operation stands as a powerful indicator of demand.
As travel between Europe and South America continues to expand, the route is positioned to remain an essential air bridge supporting tourism, commerce and international mobility between Italy and Brazil.
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