Talks are under way on paving the way for direct flights between Ireland and Brazil.
Formal negotiations on an Air Services Agreement (ASA) are taking place between officials in Dublin and Brasília.
An ASA provides the legal and regulatory framework for the operation of scheduled air services.
The commencement of the talks was announced following a meeting between Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, and Brazilian Minister for Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho.
There are currently no direct flights to South America from Ireland.
Mr O’Brien said a bilateral Air Services Agreement between Ireland and Brazil would "realise significant benefits for tourism and trade and further develop the growing bonds" between the people of Ireland and Brazil.
He said such an agreement would also "send a strong signal to industry of the commitment our two governments have to facilitating direct connectivity between our two countries".
"I am optimistic about the pace of progress, and I look forward to both sides bringing the agreement to fruition in due course."
Mr Costa Filho said the negotiations on an agreement "represents an opportunity not only to expand aviation links between the two countries, but also to boost tourism between Latin America and Europe".
"This is a very important milestone for both governments, which have demonstrated mutual interest in opening new markets and strengthening the mode of transport that carries the largest number of people worldwide on long-haul journeys."
He said the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Federal Government of Brazil "will make every effort to ensure that the agreement will be concluded soon, paving the way for air operations between the two nations".
The Department of Transport said the decision to introduce direct flights will remain a commercial matter for interested airlines.
But it said that data suggests there is "increasing demand from passengers to travel directly from Ireland to Brazil" and it said some airlines have informally expressed an interest in the route.
The department said it is hoped that the demand will be met by a carrier from Ireland, Brazil or indeed the European Union.
It said a new direct service could provide access not only to Brazil but also onward connectivity to destinations throughout South America.
