IAG Cargo has reconnected London Heathrow and Rio de Janeiro following a 20 month break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service restarted on 1 December, operating four times a week using a British Airways Boeing 787, adding to daily services from Madrid operated by Iberia.

The connection is expected to be a key route for automotive parts into Brazil and for electronic and e-commerce goods to move between Europe and South America.

London – Rio services are important for perishable exports such as papayas and melons, which can be transported using IAG Cargo’s Constant Fresh service designed for perishable goods.