VARIG to Reinstate New York/Rio de Janeiro Non-Stop Flights.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2002

Signaling a return to more normal market demand, VARIG Brazilian Airlines announced today that it will reinstate non-stop flights from New York's JFK Airport to Rio de Janeiro four times per week effective July 4.

The announcement was made by Vicente Cervo, VARIG's Director North America, who noted that the New York/Rio flights will offer more convenient service to both business and leisure travelers. He pointed out that VARIG operates a substantial hub at Rio's Tom Jobim International Airport, offering a full selection of flights throughout Brazil and other cities in South America.

"Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's tourism magnet and is the country's second most important commercial center after Sao Paulo," Cervo said. "The resumption of these non-stop flights will also provide VARIG with additional seats on the New York/Sao Paulo flights to accommodate demand on the country's most important route sector," he added.

Three weekly flights will depart JFK's Terminal 4 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 p.m. and will arrive in Rio at 6:25 a.m. the following morning. Varig will also operate a daylight flight on Sundays, departing at 10 a.m. and arriving in Rio at 9:10 p.m. the same evening, the only such daytime operation in the market.

Northbound flights from Rio will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:15 p.m., with arrival scheduled at 7:45 a.m. the following day. The flights will be operated on VARIG's 767-300 aircraft which offers three classes of award-winning service, with 10 first class, 36 business class and 145 economy class seats.

Cervo pointed out that VARIG, which celebrated its 75th Anniversary May 7, is Latin America's largest airline and is the anchor for Star Alliance in South America. Along with its sister airline companies RIO-SUL, NORDESTE and PLUNA, the VARIG group offers convenient flights to over 100 Brazilian airports and cities throughout South America. In addition to serving the Americas, the Brazilian Flagship Carrier also has routes to Europe and Asia and has often been recognized for its superior in-flight service and technological proficiency.

For more information regarding the New York/Rio flights, or other services from VARIG's U.S. gateways New York, Miami and Los Angeles, please contact VARIG at 1-800-GO-VARIG, or visit the carrier's web site at http://www.varig.com.