South America and East Asia are the only two regions in the world without direct flights, despite being connected to other continents. The main reason is the distance between them, with approximately 17,000 km separating the two regions. Current aircraft technology does not guarantee autonomy for such long trips, making it difficult for airlines to operate direct flights.
Additionally, there are few landmasses between South America and Asia across the Pacific, making air bridges and emergency landings challenging. The Earth's curvature and lack of incentives due to low demand also contribute to the absence of direct flights.
Most routes between South America and Asia involve stops in European or North American cities, which are closer and more cost-effective. Polar flights, which can shorten distances and save fuel, are also not commonly used for these routes.
However, sea transport remains a viable option for commercial transactions between South America and Asia, with lower costs and greater flexibility for heavy and bulky goods.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. South America is a subcontinent with important air routes to other continents.
2. Daily flights leave from Buenos Aires in Argentina to Madrid in Europe and from São Paulo in Brazil to New York in the United States.
3. Oceania receives flights from South America, but East Asia is the only region without direct flights from South America.
4. The longest flight in the world connects JFK airport in New York to Changi airport in Singapore, covering around 15,000 km and taking approximately 18 hours.
5. A direct trip between South America and Asia would require a plane with a capacity to travel an even greater distance than the longest flight in the world.
6. Most used aircraft models in the world in 2022 had limited ranges, including the A320 (7,000 km), Boeing 787 (5,700 km), Airbus 321 (6,000 km), and Boeing 737-700 (6,300 km).
7. The Airbus A350-900 XWB Ultra Long Range has a flight range of up to 18,000 km, making it possible to make a direct trip between South America and Asia.
8. There are few lands between South America and Asia through the Pacific, making air bridges difficult and increasing difficulties for pilots in emergency situations.
9. The curvature of the Earth at the Equator makes flying towards the poles a shorter distance than flying in a straight line.
10. Longer trips increase investments that airlines need to make to acquire aircraft with longer ranges and increase fuel costs.
11. The main routes between South America and Asia make stops in European cities such as Madrid, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, or in North American cities such as Miami and New York.
12. The distance between North America and Asia is about 42% smaller than the distance between South America and Asia.
13. Polar flights can shorten distances and save fuel, but are not often used for flights between South America and Asia.
14. Airlines do not have many incentives to operate directly from South America to Asia due to low demand compared to other destinations.
15. The Pacific region, which includes Eastern Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, accounts for around 60% of the world's population and has a high demand for air routes.
16. The most used route in the Asia-Pacific region is between Hong Kong and Taipei, with over 1,000 weekly flights.
17. Brazil has major partners in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India, but the main means of transport for commercial transactions is by sea.
18. Sea journeys between South America and Asia can take longer than a month to reach their destination, but are still an advantageous means of transport due to lower costs and flexibility.
19. The main reason for the lack of direct flights between South America and Asia is the low demand and the advantage of sea transport for commercial transactions.