Singapore Airlines  has started its first direct flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil.Flight SQ68 departed early Monday morning on its inaugural flight from Singapore Changi Airport to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport via the Spanish city of Barcelona.

Sao Paulo is SIA’s first destination in South America, which has become the sixth continent in its route network.SIA said the new three-times-weekly service also strengthens Changi Airport’s status as a global hub, as SIA is the first to offer direct flights between Singapore and South America.SIA is confident that travel demand to Brazil will be strong, with such high-profile events as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games lined up in Brazil.Similarly, it hopes that Brazilians will take the opportunity to visit Singapore and use Changi Airport as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.