Varig
Encyclopedia
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline. In 2005, Varig went into judicial reorganisation, and in 2006 it was split into two companies informally known as "old" Varig - heir to the original airline, and "new" Varig - a new company presently fully integrated into Gol Airlines
.
, by Otto Ernst Meyer-Labastille, a German
aviator decorated in the World War I
, who immigrated to Brazil in 1921 and noticed how necessary air transportation was for a large country like Brazil. Varig was an off-spring of the German trade company and airline Condor Syndikat
, thus sharing the same origin as Syndicato Condor, later renamed Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
. Condor Syndikat gave the initial operational and financial support and for a short time Varig and the sister-company Syndicato Condor operated in partnership.
The first aircraft of VARIG was a ten-passenger Dornier Do J Wal
flying boat, transferred from the assets of Condor Syndikat. This aircraft, named Atlântico, was also the first aircraft registered in Brazil as P-BAAA. Operations started on with a flight from Porto Alegre to Rio Grande
via Pelotas
. Varig inherited the route rights from Condor Syndikat which since had operated the service.
VARIG slowly but consistently in spite of difficulties added aircraft and destinations to its network initially focusing on the state of Rio Grande do Sul
. On Varig began its first international route from Porto Alegre to Montevideo
using its de Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide
.
On 1941, as the United States declared war against the Axis
and joined the Allies
in the conflict, aviation supplies became scarce, particularly in terms of petrol and replacement parts. Because it used mostly German equipment and had a German Manager-Director (President), Varig faced particular difficulties. For this reason, Varig's first Manager-Director Otto Ernst Meyer resigned on and shareholders decided that the next Manager-Director would be a Brazilian-born. Érico de Assis Brasil was chosen but he died on an aircraft accident shortly after. It was in 1943 that Varig's first employee, Ruben Martin Berta, a descendant of Hungarian
and German
grandparents, was chosen as Manager-Director and thus would remain until his death in 1966.
. Another ground-breaking suggestion was made on when, based on social ideas found on the Papal Encyclicals
Rerum Novarum
and Quadragesimo Anno
and on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's
The Social Contract, Berta proposed and the assembly approved the transfer 50% of Varig's shares to a not-for-profit foundation belonging to the employees. The aim of the foundation was to provide health, financial, social and recreational benefits to its employees. Decades later this foundation would be called Fundação Ruben Berta.
In 1946, with the addition of Douglas DC-3
and later the Curtiss C-46 to its fleet, Varig was able to greatly increase its network by adding cities in the states of Santa Catarina
, Paraná
, São Paulo
, and Rio de Janeiro
, facing fierce competition with Real Transportes Aéreos
, and SAVAG
. On , Varig bought Aero Geral
, a small airline with concessions to fly from Natal
until Santos. With this purchase Varig greatly enlarged its operations in Brazil, extending services beyond Rio de Janeiro until Natal along the Brazilian coast and was thus better prepared to compete with Panair do Brasil
and Cruzeiro do Sul
. In 1949, the Brazilian government granted to Varig the concession to fly to the United States, since the original airline which had the concession, Cruzeiro do Sul, was unable to operate the services. The inaugural service between Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and New York-Kennedy (then known as Idlewild)
happened on . The services were operated by three brand-new Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation
. On , international flights to Buenos Aires
using Curtiss C-46 aircraft were initiated. In January 1956 Varig served 55 cities in Brazil and four abroad, being the second Brazilian airline in terms of passengers transported.
In 1954, sensing the need to operate more modern equipment in its increasing amount of services, new Convair 240s were purchased. The addition of the Lockheed Super Constellation and the Convair 240 provoked a deep change of mentality in the culture of Varig, which was marked by the introduction of a new more cosmopolitan corporate image that would remain being used until 1996.
On , Varig, Cruzeiro do Sul
and VASP
initiated the air shuttle services
between Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and São Paulo-Congonhas airports, the first of its kind in the world. The three companies coordinated their schedules, operations, and shared revenue. The service was a direct response to the competition imposed by Real Transportes Aéreos
. The idea, baptized as Air bridge , inspired on the Berlin Airlift
was so successful that it was abandoned only in 1999. Flights operated on an hourly basis initially by Convair 240 (Varig), Convair 340 (Cruzeiro) and Saab 90 Scandia (VASP). In a matter of a few months the shuttle service led by Varig won the battle against Real, which was anyway bought by Varig in 1961. Sadia Transportes Aéreos joined the service in 1968. Between 1975 and 1992 it was operated exclusively by Varig's Lockheed L-188 Electra
which for sometime and for the sake of neutrality did not have the name Varig on the fuselage.
On Varig started to fly its brand-new Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle I
between Brazil and New York-Idlewild, stopping at Belem, Trinidad and Nassau; on , the Caravelles were replaced by the also brand-new Boeing 707-441
, which could fly from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to New York-Idlewild non-stop. The Caravelles were switched to operate trunk routes within Brazil and to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza
and Montevideo
.
Between May and August 1961, after a lengthy battle for the Brazilian market, Varig gradually took over the Consortium Real-Aerovias-Nacional
, which was in serious economic difficulties. This purchase not only made Varig the largest airline in South America but also granted route rights to other cities in Latin America
, Miami, the West Coast of the United States
and to Japan
.
Europe
an services started on . Even though Varig had been lobbying for European concessions for more than 10 years, that day and in a matter of hours, following the traumatic and sudden shutdown of Panair do Brasil
ordered by the Brazilian military government, Varig was granted rights previously held exclusively by Panair and ordered to immediately operate all scheduled services, including Panair's flight scheduled to depart that very night from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Recife, Lisbon, Paris-Orly and Frankfurt
.
Varig also inherited Panair's two Douglas DC-8-33
and the agreement with TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
to operate the Voo da amizade
(Friendship Flight) between São Paulo-Congonhas, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and Lisbon, with stops in Recife and Sal, now using Varig's Lockheed L-188 Electra. Originally started on November 30, 1960 by Panair and TAP, only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal were entitled to the purchase of tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares. Those flights operated until 1967.
On , Rubem Berta died of a heart attack. The following day, the administrative board elected Erik Oswaldo Kastrup de Carvalho, Berta's right-hand and former Panair employee, as Varig's fourth Director-President.
brought to Varig the need to replace its older generation aircraft with newer ones. For international flights the chosen one was the Douglas DC-10
, which had its first flight with Varig on . In the domestic arena gradually the Boeing 737-200
became the work-horse.
Still as a consequence of the 1973 oil crisis which caused many difficulties to airlines, on Varig acquired a controlling interest in Cruzeiro do Sul
, which was in a particularly delicate economic situation. Cruzeiro do Sul was fully integrated into VARIG on .
On the Brazilian Federal Government created the Brazilian Integrated System of Regional Air Transportation and divided the country in five different regions, for which five newly-created regional airlines received a concession to operate air services. Rio-Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais S/A
was the fourth of those regional airlines to be made operational and it was established by Varig in partnership with Top Táxi Aéreo, Bradesco Bank
, and Atlântica-Boavista Insurance. Its services started on and its operational area comprised roughly the Southern
and parts of the Southeast
regions of Brazil. Soon Rio-Sul was operating as Varig's feeder-airline.
In February 1979 Carvalho left the Presidency of Varig due to serious illness being succeeded by Harry Schuetz for a short time, by Hélio Smidt, Berta's nephew, in 1980 and by Rubel Thomas in 1990.
The 1980s were marked by a modernization of the fleet, growth in the number of destinations and increasing financial problems originated in high inflation
and in a foreign currency crisis. Furthermore with the end of the military régime and the return to democracy in 1985, Varig lost its intimate connection with the ruling powers. In 1990, with a gradual deregulation promoted by the Federal Government, VASP
and Transbrasil
were authorized to fly to international destinations, breaking an almost-monopoly held by Varig since 1965 (Cruzeiro do Sul
was the only exception). More international carriers were also authorized to fly to Brazil, greatly increasing competition. Slowly Varig began to loose its financial health, aggravated by the early 1990s world recession and administration problems. In 1988, a few years after the inauguration of São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, Varig decided to move its operational hub from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo.
In June 1995, Varig bought 49% of the shares of Pluna Uruguayan Airlines
.
In an attempt to solve its increasing problems, Carlos Willy Engels became president in 1995 and in 1996 he was succeeded by Fernando Abs da Cruz Souza Pinto, who would be the last president of the consolidation phase in the history of the company. He developed an ambitious project to bring financial and operational health back to the company. The two most visible milestones of this project were the new corporate image launched on October 15, 1996 - the first change since 1955 - and the membership of Varig on Star Alliance
, as of . Varig was its sixth member airline, and first to join after it was launched only 5 months earlier.
In spite of some success in the re-organization of the company, Pinto did not have full support of Ruben Berta Foundation, the controller of Varig and, as a consequence, he left the Presidency of Varig on . That same year he became the CEO
of TAP Portugal
and successfully re-organized that airline. Pinto was succeeded by Ozires Silva, former president of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer
.
. Even so, the airline presented at the end of the year, for the first time in its history Exposed Net Assets of BRL148.6 million - that is, the amount of debits was greater than the amount of credits and assets. One year later, it would reach BRL523 million.
In 2001 Varig saw the birth of a new competitor in the Brazilian market: Gol Airlines
and increasing competition of VASP
and Transbrasil
fighting for survival by dumping fares. Furthermore, for the first time since 1961, Varig lost the first place in the domestic market share
in terms of passengers/km for TAM Airlines. Later in the year, the September 11 attacks further increased operational and economic difficulties of Varig.
In 2002 Ruben Berta Foundation merged the administration of Varig and its subsidiary Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais
(which included the brand Nordeste Linhas Aéreas Regionais
). The three brands were used separately with Rio-Sul and Nordeste providing feeder services to Varig.
Year-long discussions to merge Varig with TAM Airlines ended unsuccessfully in 2004 and on the same year Varig fell to third place in the Brazilian domestic market share, behind TAM and Gol.
As of May 2005, VARIG fleet comprised 87 aircraft (76 passenger, 11 cargo), with an average age of 13.2 years; 83 of them had operating leases, while the remaining four had finance leases. As of June 2005, VARIG had a negative net worth of approximately US$
2.5 billion, with balance sheet debt of US$ 2.8 billion and off-balance-sheet
debt of US$ 2.0 billion.
VARIG applied to the Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization Court in Rio de Janeiro on , for the commencement of "judicial reorganization" proceedings pursuant to the New Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law of Brazil (Law 11.101). The request was granted on 22 June 2005. VARIG continued to provide services despite its financial troubles.
In order to raise funds, the Bankruptcy and Reorganization Court decided to sell two of Varig's subsidiaries:
After two unsuccessful attempts to auction the airline as a whole, the bankruptcy court decided to split the airline in two different judicial entities, informally known as "old" Varig and "new" Varig:
. On August 18, 2009, the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
renewed the authorization of Flex to operate non-regular passenger, cargo and postal services. Therefore, Flex operated flights on behalf of other airlines, as contracted.
Between 17 June 2005 and 2 September 2009, "old Varig" remained in Recovery Order in the 1st Business Court of Rio de Janeiro, under the leadership of Judges Luiz Roberto Ayoub and Miguel Dau. After the bankruptcy protection was lifted, the administration of the airline could have returned to its original owner, Fundação Ruben Berta, which still owed 87% of the shares of Varig. However, Fundação Ruben Berta preferred to keep a judicial administrator.
In September 2006 "old" Varig sold its participation in PLUNA
(49% of the shares) to the Uruguayan Government.
On , Varig Brazilian Airlines ("old" Varig) was suspended from membership in Star Alliance
for not fulfilling membership pre-requisites, and on , the IATA code RG and the callsign Varig officially ceased to exist.
As a result of accumulated debts, on , at the request of the airline administrator, the 1st Business Court of Rio de Janeiro declared Flex bankrupt and initiated the process of liquidation. However, on September 10, the bankruptcy process was suspended at the request of Ruben Berta Foundation and the company returned in practical terms to recovery order status until the validity of the bankruptcy is judged.
VRG Linhas Aéreas S/A is today fully integrated with Gol Airlines
.
On , the "new" Varig canceled all its flights, except for Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo shuttle service, which remained being operated in an agreement with "old" Varig. On , "new" Varig announced that it would cut 60% of its staff.
Between September and November 2006, "new" Varig announced its intentions to gradually resume some international and domestic flights. On December 14, 2006, the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
issued the final certificate to "new" Varig, making it fully operational. Soon after the certificate was granted, orders for 16 aircraft were announced, to bring the fleet to 31 aircraft and the operational agreement with "old" Varig expired.
Before and after relaunch in December 2006, "new Varig" struggled greatly to find a strategic partners, due to lack of credibility, affecting aircraft contracts, network and personnel inherited from "old" Varig. "New" Varig was facing monthly losses as high as US$20 million, and MattlinPatterson was unwilling to invest more money in the company, putting "new" Varig in extreme economic difficulties.
On , Gol Airlines
purchased "new Varig" (VRG Linhas Aéreas) for US$ 320 million, and announced that VRG Linhas Aéreas, the operator of the brand VARIG, would continue to operate under its original name. The transaction was completed on .
The new owner radically restructured the fleet, the network, eliminated the First Class cabin from the aircraft, and gradually transformed the brand Varig into the arm of Gol Group specialized in international scheduled and charter medium and long-haul destinations. On Varig's new corporate image was unveiled, stressing the orange colour of Gol.
On Gol was merged into VRG Linhas Aéreas and thus VRG Linhas Aéreas became an airline with two different brands: Varig and Gol. As a consequence, on mid-April 2009, Varig's booking systems were integrated into Gol's and the Smiles frequent flyer program was reformulated to include Gol. In June 2009, "new" Varig ceased to operate its own flights and started to use Gol's flight numbers.
From 2006 to 2009 "new" Varig was obliged by contract to purchase a minimum of 140 hours/month of services from "old" Varig. Therefore, some of VRG Linhas Aéreas flights operated with Gol flight numbers are actually flown with chartered aircraft from Flex Linhas Aéreas.
partners including flights, upgrades, holidays, hotel stays and car rentals. Smiles was part of the "new Varig" package bought by Gol Airlines
. All miles were honored and eventually Smiles became Gol's own Frequent Flyer program.
reports 39 accidents or incidents for Varig since August 1949.
Gol Transportes Aéreos
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil....
.
Formation and Early Years (1927–1943)
Sociedade Anônima Empresa de Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense – VARIG was the first national airline established in Brazil. It was founded on in Porto AlegrePorto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area . It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian...
, by Otto Ernst Meyer-Labastille, a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
aviator decorated in the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, who immigrated to Brazil in 1921 and noticed how necessary air transportation was for a large country like Brazil. Varig was an off-spring of the German trade company and airline Condor Syndikat
Condor Syndikat
Condor Syndikat was a German trade company, with headquarters in Berlin, that operated airline services in Brazil while also providing aircraft, maintenance and aviation information. It is also the mother company of the Brazilian airlines Varig and Syndicato Condor, which later became Serviços...
, thus sharing the same origin as Syndicato Condor, later renamed Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
. Condor Syndikat gave the initial operational and financial support and for a short time Varig and the sister-company Syndicato Condor operated in partnership.
The first aircraft of VARIG was a ten-passenger Dornier Do J Wal
Dornier Do J
The Dornier Do J Wal was a twin-engine German flying boat of the 1920s designed by Dornier Flugzeugwerke. The Do J was designated the Do 16 by the Reich Air Ministry under its aircraft designation system of 1933....
flying boat, transferred from the assets of Condor Syndikat. This aircraft, named Atlântico, was also the first aircraft registered in Brazil as P-BAAA. Operations started on with a flight from Porto Alegre to Rio Grande
Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande is the oldest city in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and also the former state capital from 1835 to 1845...
via Pelotas
Pelotas
Pelotas is a Brazilian city and municipality , the third most populous in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Pelotas is located 270 km from Porto Alegre, the capital city of the state, and 130 km from the Uruguayan border...
. Varig inherited the route rights from Condor Syndikat which since had operated the service.
VARIG slowly but consistently in spite of difficulties added aircraft and destinations to its network initially focusing on the state of Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine...
. On Varig began its first international route from Porto Alegre to Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
using its de Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide
De Havilland Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s.-Design and development:Designed by the de Havilland company in late 1933 as a faster and more comfortable successor to the DH.84 Dragon, it was in effect a twin-engined, scaled-down version of the...
.
On 1941, as the United States declared war against the Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
and joined the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
in the conflict, aviation supplies became scarce, particularly in terms of petrol and replacement parts. Because it used mostly German equipment and had a German Manager-Director (President), Varig faced particular difficulties. For this reason, Varig's first Manager-Director Otto Ernst Meyer resigned on and shareholders decided that the next Manager-Director would be a Brazilian-born. Érico de Assis Brasil was chosen but he died on an aircraft accident shortly after. It was in 1943 that Varig's first employee, Ruben Martin Berta, a descendant of Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
grandparents, was chosen as Manager-Director and thus would remain until his death in 1966.
Expansion (1943–1966)
One of the first decisions of Ruben Berta was to pursue an expansion plan and to unify the fleet around only one type of aircraft. The chosen one was the Lockheed L-10 ElectraLockheed Model 10 Electra
The Lockheed Model 10 Electra was a twin-engine, all-metal monoplane airliner developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s to compete with the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2...
. Another ground-breaking suggestion was made on when, based on social ideas found on the Papal Encyclicals
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
Rerum Novarum
Rerum Novarum
Rerum Novarum is an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891. It was an open letter, passed to all Catholic bishops, that addressed the condition of the working classes. The encyclical is entitled: “Rights and Duties of Capital and Labour”...
and Quadragesimo Anno
Quadragesimo Anno
Quadragesimo Anno is an encyclical written by Pope Pius XI, issued 15 May 1931, 40 years after Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum. Unlike Leo XIII, who addressed the condition of workers, Pius XI discusses the ethical implications of the social and economic order...
and on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism. His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological and educational thought.His novel Émile: or, On Education is a treatise...
The Social Contract, Berta proposed and the assembly approved the transfer 50% of Varig's shares to a not-for-profit foundation belonging to the employees. The aim of the foundation was to provide health, financial, social and recreational benefits to its employees. Decades later this foundation would be called Fundação Ruben Berta.
In 1946, with the addition of Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
and later the Curtiss C-46 to its fleet, Varig was able to greatly increase its network by adding cities in the states of Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina (state)
Santa Catarina is a state in southern Brazil with one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. Its capital is Florianópolis, which mostly lies on the Santa Catarina Island. Neighbouring states are Rio Grande do Sul to the south and Paraná to the north. It is bounded on the east by...
, Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
, São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
, and Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
, facing fierce competition with Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
, and SAVAG
SAVAG – Sociedade Anônima Viação Aérea Gaúcha
SAVAG – Sociedade Anônima Viação Aérea Gaúcha was a Brazilian airline founded in 1946 that operated mainly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It was absorbed by Cruzeiro do Sul in 1966.-History:...
. On , Varig bought Aero Geral
Aero Geral
Aero Geral Ltda was a Brazilian airline founded in 1941. It was bought and merged into Varig in 1952.-History:Aero Geral Ltda was founded in 1941 in the Amazon region and started flying with a single Monocoupe 90A in February 1942. However, due to technical difficulties, it was grounded in 1944 and...
, a small airline with concessions to fly from Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
until Santos. With this purchase Varig greatly enlarged its operations in Brazil, extending services beyond Rio de Janeiro until Natal along the Brazilian coast and was thus better prepared to compete with Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
and Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
. In 1949, the Brazilian government granted to Varig the concession to fly to the United States, since the original airline which had the concession, Cruzeiro do Sul, was unable to operate the services. The inaugural service between Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and New York-Kennedy (then known as Idlewild)
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
happened on . The services were operated by three brand-new Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
. On , international flights to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
using Curtiss C-46 aircraft were initiated. In January 1956 Varig served 55 cities in Brazil and four abroad, being the second Brazilian airline in terms of passengers transported.
In 1954, sensing the need to operate more modern equipment in its increasing amount of services, new Convair 240s were purchased. The addition of the Lockheed Super Constellation and the Convair 240 provoked a deep change of mentality in the culture of Varig, which was marked by the introduction of a new more cosmopolitan corporate image that would remain being used until 1996.
On , Varig, Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
and VASP
VASP
Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
initiated the air shuttle services
Air shuttle
An air shuttle is a scheduled airline service that operates a frequent, regular service on short routes with a simplified fare and class structure. Although no exact specifications exist, frequency is normally once per hour or more often and travel time is typically an hour or less, although longer...
between Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and São Paulo-Congonhas airports, the first of its kind in the world. The three companies coordinated their schedules, operations, and shared revenue. The service was a direct response to the competition imposed by Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
. The idea, baptized as Air bridge , inspired on the Berlin Airlift
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War and the first resulting in casualties. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied...
was so successful that it was abandoned only in 1999. Flights operated on an hourly basis initially by Convair 240 (Varig), Convair 340 (Cruzeiro) and Saab 90 Scandia (VASP). In a matter of a few months the shuttle service led by Varig won the battle against Real, which was anyway bought by Varig in 1961. Sadia Transportes Aéreos joined the service in 1968. Between 1975 and 1992 it was operated exclusively by Varig's Lockheed L-188 Electra
Lockheed L-188 Electra
The Lockheed Model 188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flying in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner produced in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes which prompted an expensive modification program to fix a design...
which for sometime and for the sake of neutrality did not have the name Varig on the fuselage.
On Varig started to fly its brand-new Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle I
Sud Aviation Caravelle
The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with...
between Brazil and New York-Idlewild, stopping at Belem, Trinidad and Nassau; on , the Caravelles were replaced by the also brand-new Boeing 707-441
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
, which could fly from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to New York-Idlewild non-stop. The Caravelles were switched to operate trunk routes within Brazil and to Buenos Aires-Ezeiza
Ministro Pistarini International Airport
Ministro Pistarini International Airport , more commonly known as Ezeiza International Airport owing to its location within the Ezeiza Partido in the Greater Buenos Aires, is an international airport located south-southwest of Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina...
and Montevideo
Carrasco International Airport
Carrasco/General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport , commonly known simply by Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco in reference to the neighborhood where it is located, is the main airport serving Montevideo, Uruguay, located in the adjoining municipality of Ciudad de la Costa...
.
Between May and August 1961, after a lengthy battle for the Brazilian market, Varig gradually took over the Consortium Real-Aerovias-Nacional
Real Transportes Aéreos
Real Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
, which was in serious economic difficulties. This purchase not only made Varig the largest airline in South America but also granted route rights to other cities in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, Miami, the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
and to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an services started on . Even though Varig had been lobbying for European concessions for more than 10 years, that day and in a matter of hours, following the traumatic and sudden shutdown of Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
ordered by the Brazilian military government, Varig was granted rights previously held exclusively by Panair and ordered to immediately operate all scheduled services, including Panair's flight scheduled to depart that very night from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Recife, Lisbon, Paris-Orly and Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport may refer to:Airports of Frankfurt, Germany:*Frankfurt Airport , the largest airport in Germany*Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport, a general aviation airport*Frankfurt-Hahn Airport , a converted U.S...
.
Varig also inherited Panair's two Douglas DC-8-33
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
and the agreement with TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
to operate the Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade was the name of a dedicated air service between Brazil and Portugal operated between 1960 and 1967. It was an operational partnership between the Portuguese TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses and the Brazilian Panair do Brasil and Varig .-History:In order to promote the already...
(Friendship Flight) between São Paulo-Congonhas, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and Lisbon, with stops in Recife and Sal, now using Varig's Lockheed L-188 Electra. Originally started on November 30, 1960 by Panair and TAP, only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal were entitled to the purchase of tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares. Those flights operated until 1967.
On , Rubem Berta died of a heart attack. The following day, the administrative board elected Erik Oswaldo Kastrup de Carvalho, Berta's right-hand and former Panair employee, as Varig's fourth Director-President.
Consolidation (1966–2000)
The 1973 oil crisis1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
brought to Varig the need to replace its older generation aircraft with newer ones. For international flights the chosen one was the Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a...
, which had its first flight with Varig on . In the domestic arena gradually the Boeing 737-200
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
became the work-horse.
Still as a consequence of the 1973 oil crisis which caused many difficulties to airlines, on Varig acquired a controlling interest in Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
, which was in a particularly delicate economic situation. Cruzeiro do Sul was fully integrated into VARIG on .
On the Brazilian Federal Government created the Brazilian Integrated System of Regional Air Transportation and divided the country in five different regions, for which five newly-created regional airlines received a concession to operate air services. Rio-Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais S/A
Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais
Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais was a regional airline headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, operating scheduled services to southern Brazil...
was the fourth of those regional airlines to be made operational and it was established by Varig in partnership with Top Táxi Aéreo, Bradesco Bank
Banco Bradesco
Bradesco is one of the Big Four banks in Brazil, the others being Banco do Brasil, Itaú Unibanco and CEF. Bradesco was the largest private bank in Brazil until Banco Itaú and Unibanco merged in 2009. Bradesco is headquartered in Osasco, has 3,945 branches and 38,772 Automatic Teller Machines...
, and Atlântica-Boavista Insurance. Its services started on and its operational area comprised roughly the Southern
Southern Region, Brazil
The South Region of Brazil is one of the five regions of Brazil. It includes the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul and covers 576,409.6 km ², being the smallest portion of the country...
and parts of the Southeast
Southeast Region, Brazil
The Southeast Region of Brazil is composed by the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is the richest region of the country, responsible for approximately 60% of the Brazilian GDP. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais are three richest states of Brazil,...
regions of Brazil. Soon Rio-Sul was operating as Varig's feeder-airline.
In February 1979 Carvalho left the Presidency of Varig due to serious illness being succeeded by Harry Schuetz for a short time, by Hélio Smidt, Berta's nephew, in 1980 and by Rubel Thomas in 1990.
The 1980s were marked by a modernization of the fleet, growth in the number of destinations and increasing financial problems originated in high inflation
Economic history of Brazil
The economic history of Brazil covers various economic events and traces the changes in the Brazilian economy over the course of the history of Brazil. Portugal, which first colonized the area in the 16th century, enforced a colonial pact with Brazil, an imperial mercantile policy, which drove...
and in a foreign currency crisis. Furthermore with the end of the military régime and the return to democracy in 1985, Varig lost its intimate connection with the ruling powers. In 1990, with a gradual deregulation promoted by the Federal Government, VASP
VASP
Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
and Transbrasil
Transbrasil
TransBrasil is a defunct Brazilian airline which ceased operations in December 2001. During most of its history, Transbrasil was owned by local entrepeneur Omar Fontana. Its aircraft usually featured a colorful livery, remarkably with a rainbow on the tail fin. Transbrasil base was Brasilia...
were authorized to fly to international destinations, breaking an almost-monopoly held by Varig since 1965 (Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
was the only exception). More international carriers were also authorized to fly to Brazil, greatly increasing competition. Slowly Varig began to loose its financial health, aggravated by the early 1990s world recession and administration problems. In 1988, a few years after the inauguration of São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, Varig decided to move its operational hub from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo.
In June 1995, Varig bought 49% of the shares of Pluna Uruguayan Airlines
PLUNA
PLUNALíneas Aéreas Uruguayas S.A. is the flag carrier of Uruguay, headquartered in Carrasco, Montevideo. It operates scheduled services within South America, as well as unscheduled cargo and charter services, with its main hub being Carrasco International Airport near Montevideo.- Foundation :The...
.
In an attempt to solve its increasing problems, Carlos Willy Engels became president in 1995 and in 1996 he was succeeded by Fernando Abs da Cruz Souza Pinto, who would be the last president of the consolidation phase in the history of the company. He developed an ambitious project to bring financial and operational health back to the company. The two most visible milestones of this project were the new corporate image launched on October 15, 1996 - the first change since 1955 - and the membership of Varig on Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
, as of . Varig was its sixth member airline, and first to join after it was launched only 5 months earlier.
In spite of some success in the re-organization of the company, Pinto did not have full support of Ruben Berta Foundation, the controller of Varig and, as a consequence, he left the Presidency of Varig on . That same year he became the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
and successfully re-organized that airline. Pinto was succeeded by Ozires Silva, former president of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer
Embraer
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....
.
Decline and Final Split (2000–2006)
The administration of Ozires Silva, which lasted for only 2.5 years, started with major restructuring in the company, aiming at making Ruben Berta Foundation more powerful and the President-Director weaker. Also, on , all cargo operations were united under a new airline named VarigLogVarig Logística
Varig Logística S.A., operating as VarigLog, is a cargo airline, based in Jardim Aeroporto, Campo Belo, São Paulo, Brazil.-History:The airline started operations in September 2000 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Varig and employed 1,345 staff....
. Even so, the airline presented at the end of the year, for the first time in its history Exposed Net Assets of BRL148.6 million - that is, the amount of debits was greater than the amount of credits and assets. One year later, it would reach BRL523 million.
In 2001 Varig saw the birth of a new competitor in the Brazilian market: Gol Airlines
Gol Transportes Aéreos
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil....
and increasing competition of VASP
VASP
Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A, or VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building on the grounds of Congonhas-São Paulo Airport in São Paulo, Brazil...
and Transbrasil
Transbrasil
TransBrasil is a defunct Brazilian airline which ceased operations in December 2001. During most of its history, Transbrasil was owned by local entrepeneur Omar Fontana. Its aircraft usually featured a colorful livery, remarkably with a rainbow on the tail fin. Transbrasil base was Brasilia...
fighting for survival by dumping fares. Furthermore, for the first time since 1961, Varig lost the first place in the domestic market share
Market share
Market share is the percentage of a market accounted for by a specific entity. In a survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, 67 percent responded that they found the "dollar market share" metric very useful, while 61% found "unit market share" very useful.Marketers need to be able to...
in terms of passengers/km for TAM Airlines. Later in the year, the September 11 attacks further increased operational and economic difficulties of Varig.
In 2002 Ruben Berta Foundation merged the administration of Varig and its subsidiary Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais
Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais
Rio Sul Serviços Aéreos Regionais was a regional airline headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, operating scheduled services to southern Brazil...
(which included the brand Nordeste Linhas Aéreas Regionais
Nordeste Linhas Aereas Regionais
Nordeste Linhas Aéreas Regionais was a regional airline based in Brotas, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil which operated scheduled passenger services in northeast and southeast Brazil...
). The three brands were used separately with Rio-Sul and Nordeste providing feeder services to Varig.
Year-long discussions to merge Varig with TAM Airlines ended unsuccessfully in 2004 and on the same year Varig fell to third place in the Brazilian domestic market share, behind TAM and Gol.
As of May 2005, VARIG fleet comprised 87 aircraft (76 passenger, 11 cargo), with an average age of 13.2 years; 83 of them had operating leases, while the remaining four had finance leases. As of June 2005, VARIG had a negative net worth of approximately US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
2.5 billion, with balance sheet debt of US$ 2.8 billion and off-balance-sheet
Off-balance-sheet
Off-balance sheet usually means an asset or debt or financing activity not on the company's balance sheet.Some companies may have significant amounts of off-balance sheet assets and liabilities. For example, financial institutions often offer asset management or brokerage services to their clients...
debt of US$ 2.0 billion.
VARIG applied to the Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization Court in Rio de Janeiro on , for the commencement of "judicial reorganization" proceedings pursuant to the New Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law of Brazil (Law 11.101). The request was granted on 22 June 2005. VARIG continued to provide services despite its financial troubles.
- in November 2005 the maintenance centre VEM Maintenance & EngineeringTAP Maintenance & EngineeringTAP Maintenance & Engineering – the maintenance, repair and operations center of TAP Portugal airline – is located at Portela Airport, Lisbon, Portugal.- History :...
was sold to a consortium presided by the Portuguese airline TAP PortugalTAP PortugalTAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
; - in December 2005 the cargo division VarigLogVarig LogísticaVarig Logística S.A., operating as VarigLog, is a cargo airline, based in Jardim Aeroporto, Campo Belo, São Paulo, Brazil.-History:The airline started operations in September 2000 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Varig and employed 1,345 staff....
was sold to Volo do Brasil, a consortium started by the private equityPrivate equityPrivate equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
fund MatlinPatterson Global AdvisorsMatlinPatterson Global AdvisorsMatlinPatterson Global Advisers is a private equity firm focused on distressed investments across a range of industries. Typically the firm seeks to make control investments in the companies in which it invests....
and three Brazilian investors (Marco Antonio Audi, Marco Hapfel and Luiz Gallo). The negotiation was concluded in June 2006.
After two unsuccessful attempts to auction the airline as a whole, the bankruptcy court decided to split the airline in two different judicial entities, informally known as "old" Varig and "new" Varig:
- The first portion, formally called Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S/A and informally known as "old" Varig, comprised the brand Nordeste, one aircraft, debts, liabilities, legal disputes, various assets, concessions and properties of the original Varig. Since "old" Varig, could not use the name Varig anymore, the company used the brand-name Nordeste for a while and in 2008 it began using the name Flex Linhas AéreasFlex Linhas AéreasFlex Linhas Aéreas, styled as FLEX, was a Brazilian non-regular charter airline based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport. It is the brand name of Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S.A., judicial successor of former Viação Aérea-Rio Grandense, known as Varig. Informally Flex is known as "old Varig"...
. - The second portion, formally called VRG Linhas Aéreas and informally known as "new" Varig, is a brand new airline which comprises the brands Varig and Rio-Sul, Varig's route rights, all aircraft but one and the Smiles mileage program. "New" Varig was auctioned on to Volo do Brasil (owner of VarigLog) and legal procedures finalized on ;
"Old" Varig
Since , the former Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense S/A was judicially known as Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S/A, and operated under the brand-name Flex Linhas AéreasFlex Linhas Aéreas
Flex Linhas Aéreas, styled as FLEX, was a Brazilian non-regular charter airline based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport. It is the brand name of Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S.A., judicial successor of former Viação Aérea-Rio Grandense, known as Varig. Informally Flex is known as "old Varig"...
. On August 18, 2009, the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
The National Civil Aviation Agency , also known as ANAC, is the Brazilian civil aviation authority, created in 2006...
renewed the authorization of Flex to operate non-regular passenger, cargo and postal services. Therefore, Flex operated flights on behalf of other airlines, as contracted.
Between 17 June 2005 and 2 September 2009, "old Varig" remained in Recovery Order in the 1st Business Court of Rio de Janeiro, under the leadership of Judges Luiz Roberto Ayoub and Miguel Dau. After the bankruptcy protection was lifted, the administration of the airline could have returned to its original owner, Fundação Ruben Berta, which still owed 87% of the shares of Varig. However, Fundação Ruben Berta preferred to keep a judicial administrator.
In September 2006 "old" Varig sold its participation in PLUNA
PLUNA
PLUNALíneas Aéreas Uruguayas S.A. is the flag carrier of Uruguay, headquartered in Carrasco, Montevideo. It operates scheduled services within South America, as well as unscheduled cargo and charter services, with its main hub being Carrasco International Airport near Montevideo.- Foundation :The...
(49% of the shares) to the Uruguayan Government.
On , Varig Brazilian Airlines ("old" Varig) was suspended from membership in Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
for not fulfilling membership pre-requisites, and on , the IATA code RG and the callsign Varig officially ceased to exist.
As a result of accumulated debts, on , at the request of the airline administrator, the 1st Business Court of Rio de Janeiro declared Flex bankrupt and initiated the process of liquidation. However, on September 10, the bankruptcy process was suspended at the request of Ruben Berta Foundation and the company returned in practical terms to recovery order status until the validity of the bankruptcy is judged.
"New" Varig
Gol Transportes Aéreos
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil....
.
On , the "new" Varig canceled all its flights, except for Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo shuttle service, which remained being operated in an agreement with "old" Varig. On , "new" Varig announced that it would cut 60% of its staff.
Between September and November 2006, "new" Varig announced its intentions to gradually resume some international and domestic flights. On December 14, 2006, the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
The National Civil Aviation Agency , also known as ANAC, is the Brazilian civil aviation authority, created in 2006...
issued the final certificate to "new" Varig, making it fully operational. Soon after the certificate was granted, orders for 16 aircraft were announced, to bring the fleet to 31 aircraft and the operational agreement with "old" Varig expired.
Before and after relaunch in December 2006, "new Varig" struggled greatly to find a strategic partners, due to lack of credibility, affecting aircraft contracts, network and personnel inherited from "old" Varig. "New" Varig was facing monthly losses as high as US$20 million, and MattlinPatterson was unwilling to invest more money in the company, putting "new" Varig in extreme economic difficulties.
On , Gol Airlines
Gol Transportes Aéreos
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil....
purchased "new Varig" (VRG Linhas Aéreas) for US$ 320 million, and announced that VRG Linhas Aéreas, the operator of the brand VARIG, would continue to operate under its original name. The transaction was completed on .
The new owner radically restructured the fleet, the network, eliminated the First Class cabin from the aircraft, and gradually transformed the brand Varig into the arm of Gol Group specialized in international scheduled and charter medium and long-haul destinations. On Varig's new corporate image was unveiled, stressing the orange colour of Gol.
On Gol was merged into VRG Linhas Aéreas and thus VRG Linhas Aéreas became an airline with two different brands: Varig and Gol. As a consequence, on mid-April 2009, Varig's booking systems were integrated into Gol's and the Smiles frequent flyer program was reformulated to include Gol. In June 2009, "new" Varig ceased to operate its own flights and started to use Gol's flight numbers.
From 2006 to 2009 "new" Varig was obliged by contract to purchase a minimum of 140 hours/month of services from "old" Varig. Therefore, some of VRG Linhas Aéreas flights operated with Gol flight numbers are actually flown with chartered aircraft from Flex Linhas Aéreas.
Fleet
The fleet list below is related to "old" VARIG and based on the standard published Varig history.| Aircraft | Total | Years of operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dornier Do J Wal Dornier Do J The Dornier Do J Wal was a twin-engine German flying boat of the 1920s designed by Dornier Flugzeugwerke. The Do J was designated the Do 16 by the Reich Air Ministry under its aircraft designation system of 1933.... |
1 | 1927–1930 | First aircraft registered in Brazil |
| Dornier Merkur Dornier Komet -External links:... |
1 | 1928–1930 | |
| Morane-Saulnier 130 | 1 | 1930–1931 | |
| Klemm L-25 Klemm Kl 25 -See also:... |
2 | 1930–1937 | |
| Nieuport-Delage 641 | 1 | 1931 | |
| Junkers A-50 Junior Junkers A50 |-See also:-External links:*... |
3 | 1931–1944 | |
| Junkers F.13 ke Junkers F.13 The Junkers F.13 was the world's first all-metal transport aircraft, developed in Germany at the end of World War I. It was an advanced cantilever-wing monoplane, with enclosed accommodation for four passengers. Over 300 were sold... |
2 | 1932–1948 | |
| Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun Messerschmitt Bf 108 -Popular culture:Bf 108s and postwar Nord 1000s, played the role of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters in war movies, including The Longest Day, 633 Squadron, Von Ryan's Express and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.-See also:-References:Notes... |
1 | 1936 | |
| Messersschmitt M-20B | 1 | 1937–1948 | |
| Junkers Ju-52/3m Junkers Ju 52 The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler... |
1 | 1938–1942 | |
| Focke-Wulf Fw 58C Weihe | 1 | 1940–1941 | |
| de Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide De Havilland Dragon Rapide The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s.-Design and development:Designed by the de Havilland company in late 1933 as a faster and more comfortable successor to the DH.84 Dragon, it was in effect a twin-engined, scaled-down version of the... |
1 | 1942 | |
| CANT Z.1012 CANT Z.1012 -Cited sources:... |
1 | 1942 | |
| Fiat G.2 Fiat G.2 The Fiat G.2 was an Italian three-engine six-passenger monoplane transport aircraft designed by Giuseppe Gabrielli and built by Fiat.-Development:... |
1 | 1942–1945 | |
| Lockheed L-10 A/E Electra Lockheed Model 10 Electra The Lockheed Model 10 Electra was a twin-engine, all-metal monoplane airliner developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s to compete with the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2... |
11 | 1943–1955 | |
| Douglas DC-3/C-47 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
47 | 1946–1971 | |
| Noorduyn C-64 Norseman Noorduyn Norseman The Noorduyn Norseman is a Canadian single-engine bush plane designed to operate from unimproved surfaces. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered and/or operated in 68 countries throughout the world and also have been based and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.-Design and... |
1 | 1947–1950 | |
| Curtiss C-46/Super C-46 Commando | 29 | 1948–1970 | |
| Convair 240 | 13 | 1954–1969 | |
| Lockheed L-1049G/H Super Constellation Lockheed Constellation The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a... |
10 | 1955–1967 | |
| Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle I (III) Sud Aviation Caravelle The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with... |
3 | 1959–1979 | |
| Boeing 707-441 Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on... |
3 | 1960–1979 | |
| Convair 340/440 | 15 | 1961–1967 | |
| Douglas DC-6B Douglas DC-6 The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range... |
5 | 1961–1968 | |
| Lockheed L-118 A/C Electra Lockheed L-188 Electra The Lockheed Model 188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flying in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner produced in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes which prompted an expensive modification program to fix a design... |
15 | 1962–1992 | |
| Convair 990A Convair 990 The Convair 990 Coronado was a narrow-body jet airliner produced by the Convair division of General Dynamics, a "stretched" version of their earlier Convair 880 produced in response to a request from American Airlines. The 990 was lengthened by 10 feet, which increased the number of passengers from... |
3 | 1963–1971 | Received from Aerovias Brasil Aerovias Brasil Empresa de Transportes Aéreos Aerovias Brasil S/A was a Brazilian airline founded in 1942. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Aerovias Brasil was one of the partners.-History:... |
| Douglas DC-8-33 Douglas DC-8 The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company... |
2 | 1965–1975 | Received from Panair do Brasil Panair do Brasil Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :... |
| Hawker Siddeley HS 748 (Avro) | 11 | 1966–1976 | |
| Boeing 707-320/320C Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on... |
17 | 1966–1990 | |
| Beechcraft 99 Airliner Beechcraft Model 99 |-See also:-External links:*... |
1 | 1968 | |
| Fairchild Hiller FH-227B Fairchild Hiller FH-227 The Fairchild F-27 and Fairchild Hiller FH-227 were versions of the Fokker F27 Friendship twin-engined turboprop passenger aircraft manufactured under license by Fairchild Hiller in the United States... |
4 | 1970–1975 | |
| Boeing 727-100 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
11 | 1970–2006 | |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 McDonnell Douglas DC-10 The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine widebody jet airliner manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The DC-10 has range for medium- to long-haul flights, capable of carrying a maximum 380 passengers. Its most distinguishing feature is the two turbofan engines mounted on underwing pylons and a... |
16 | 1974–2006 | |
| Boeing 737-200 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
20 | 1975–2003 | |
| Airbus A300-B4-203 Airbus A300 The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS... |
4 | 1980–1990 | |
| Boeing 747-200 Boeing 747 The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced... |
4 | 1981–1996 | |
| Boeing 747-300/300 Combi Boeing 747 The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced... |
5 | 1985–2000 | |
| Boeing 767-200/200ER Boeing 767 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail... |
9 | 1986–2004, 2008 | Some operated for "new" Varig |
| Boeing 737-300 Boeing 737 Classic The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new... |
48 | 1987–2009 | 1 to Flex Linhas Aéreas Flex Linhas Aéreas Flex Linhas Aéreas, styled as FLEX, was a Brazilian non-regular charter airline based at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport. It is the brand name of Nordeste Linhas Aéreas S.A., judicial successor of former Viação Aérea-Rio Grandense, known as Varig. Informally Flex is known as "old Varig"... Some operated for "new" Varig |
| Boeing 767-300ER Boeing 767 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail... |
16 | 1989–2008 | Some operated for "new" Varig |
| Boeing 747-400 Boeing 747 The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced... |
3 | 1991–1994 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a three-engine medium- to long-range widebody jet airliner, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and, later, by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Based on the DC-10, it features a stretched fuselage, increased wingspan with winglets, refined airfoils on the wing and smaller... |
26 | 1991–2007 | Some operated for "new" Varig |
| Boeing 737-400 Boeing 737 Classic The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new... |
8 | 2000–2006 | |
| Boeing 737-700 Boeing 737 Next Generation The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners... |
10 | 2001–2006 | |
| Boeing 737-800 Boeing 737 Next Generation The Boeing 737 Next Generation, commonly abbreviated as Boeing 737NG, is the name given to the -600/-700/-800/-900 series of the Boeing 737 after the introduction of the -300/-400/-500 Classic series. They are short- to medium-range, narrow-body jet airliners... |
2 | 2001–2006 | |
| Boeing 777-200ER Boeing 777 The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model... |
8 | 2001–2006 | |
| Boeing 737-500 Boeing 737 Classic The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new... |
25 | 2003–2006 | |
| Boeing 757-200 Boeing 757 The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration... |
4 | 2004–2006 | |
Airline Affinity Program
Smiles was Varig's Frequent-flyer program until July 20, 2006. Points could be used for services from Varig, its subsidiaries, and its Star AllianceStar Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
partners including flights, upgrades, holidays, hotel stays and car rentals. Smiles was part of the "new Varig" package bought by Gol Airlines
Gol Transportes Aéreos
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian airline based in Comandante Lineu Gomes Square, São Paulo City, Brazil....
. All miles were honored and eventually Smiles became Gol's own Frequent Flyer program.
Accidents and incidents
As of February 2011, Aviation Safety NetworkAviation Safety Network
-External links:**...
reports 39 accidents or incidents for Varig since August 1949.
Major accidents involving fatalities
- 28 February 1942: the Junkers Ju-52/3mJunkers Ju 52The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
registration PP-VAL crashed shortly after take-off from Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
. Six of the 21 occupants died, including 2 crew members. - 2 August 1949: a Curtiss C-46AD-10-CU Commando registration PP-VBI operating a flight from São Paulo-Congonhas to Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
made an emergency landing on rough terrain near the location of Cambará do SulCambará do SulCambará do Sul is a municipality in the state Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Its population was approximately 6500 in 2010. It has an area of approximately 1212 km².The city is one of the coldest in Brazil and sometimes there is chance of snow.-See also:...
, approximatelly 20 minutes before landing in Porto Alegre, following fire on the cargo hold. Of the 36 passengers and crew aboard, 5 died. - 4 June 1954: a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando registration PP-VBZ operating a cargo flight between São Paulo-Congonhas and Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
crashed during take-off from São Paulo. All crew of 3 died. - 7 April 1957: a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando registration PP-VCF operating a flight from BagéComandante Gustavo Kraemer AirportComandante Gustavo Kraemer International Airport is the airport serving Bagé, Brazil. It is named after Captain Gustavo Kraemer, founder and pilot of the airline SAVAG, killed on an air-crash in 1950.It is operated by Infraero.-History:...
to Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
crashed during take-off in Bagé following a fire developed in the left main gear wheel well and consequent technical difficulties. All 40 passenger and crew died. - 18 October 1957: a Douglas C-47A-80-DL registration PP-VCS operating a cargo flight from Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
crashed upon take-off. The crew of two died. - 27 November 1962: a Boeing 707-441Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PP-VJB operating flight 810 from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to LimaJorge Chávez International AirportJorge Chávez International Airport , known as Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez in Spanish, is Peru's main international and domestic airport. It is located in Callao, 11 kilometers from the Historic Centre of Lima and 17 km from Miraflores. Callao is the port city now fully...
after initiating an overshoot procedure at the suggestion of the control tower because it was too high, proceeded to start another approach when it crashed into La Cruz peak, 8 miles away from Lima Airport. Possibly there was a misinterpretation of navigation instruments. All 97 passengers and crew aboard died. - 22 December 1962: a Convair CV-240-2, registration PP-VCQ, flying from Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
to BrasíliaBrasília International AirportBrasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is the airport serving Brasília, Brazil. Since April 22, 1999 the airport is named after Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , the 21st President of Brazil....
via Belo Horizonte-Pampulha , descended below the prescribed altitude while on final approach to Brasília, struck trees, skidded and fell to one side. One crew member died, out of 40 occupants of the aircraft. - 1 July 1963: a Douglas C-47B-20-DK registration PP-VBV flying from Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
to Passo FundoLauro Kurtz AirportLauro Kurtz Airport is the airport serving Passo Fundo, Brazil.It is operated by DAP.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
collided with trees on high ground and crashed shortly before arriving in Passo Fundo. Of the 18 passengers and crew aboard, 15 died. - 5 March 1967: flight 837Varig Airlines Flight 837Varig Airlines Flight 837 was a flight from Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy to Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia. On March 05, 1967, due to pilot error, the flight crashed during approach to Runway 04 of Roberts International Airport. Of the 71 passengers and 19 crew on board, 50...
, a Douglas DC-8-33Douglas DC-8The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
registration PP-PEA flying from Rome-Fiumicino to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão via MonroviaRoberts International Airport-Accidents and incidents:*On 5 March 1967: Varig flight 837, a Douglas DC-8-33 registration PP-PEA flying from Rome-Fiumicino to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão via Roberts International Airport, caught fire after a mistaken approach to Monrovia, missing the threshold of the runway by 6,023 ft...
, caught fire after a mistaken approach to Monrovia, missing the threshold of the runway by 6,023 ft. Of the 90 passengers and crew aboard, 51 died. - 9 June 1973: a cargo Boeing 707-327CBoeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PP-VJL flying from Viracopos-Campinas International Airport to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão while making an instrument approach to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão had technical problems with the spoilers which eventually caused the aircraft to pitch down, descended fast, struck approach lights and ditch. All 6 occupants died. - 11 July 1973: a Boeing 707-345CBoeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PP-VJZ operating flight 820Varig Flight 820Varig Flight 820 was a scheduled airline service from Galeão Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Orly Airport, Paris, France. On 11 July 1973, the Boeing 707 made an emergency landing in a field in the Orly commune due to smoke in the cabin...
from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Paris-Orly made a successful emergency landing at an open field 5 km before landing, after reporting fire in a rear lavatory. However, 123 of the 134 passengers and crew aboard died, overcome by smoke and carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
before the aircraft could be evacuated. - 30 January 1979: a cargo Boeing 707-323CBoeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PP-VLUPP-VLUPP-VLU was a Varig cargo Boeing 707-323C which took off on 30 January 1979 from Tokyo - Narita to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão via Los Angeles. After an exhibition in Tokyo, 153 of Manabu Mabe's paintings were on board the aircraft. The aircraft went missing over the Pacific Ocean some 30 minutes from...
en route from Tokyo-NaritaNarita International Airportis an international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is located east of Tokyo Station and east-southeast of Narita Station in the city of Narita, and the adjacent town of Shibayama....
to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão via Los AngelesLos Angeles International AirportLos Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
went missing over the Pacific Ocean some 30 minutes (200 km ENE) from Tokyo. Causes are unknown since the wreck was never found. Among other cargo, the aircraft was carrying 153 paintings by the Japanese Brazilian artist Manabu MabeManabu Mabewas a Japanese-Brazilian painter. Mabe worked as a vendor of hand-painted ties in São Paulo before becoming a famous artist...
, worth USD 1.24 million. The aircraft was flown by Gilberto Araújo da Silva, who was also the captain and survivor of the accident with Flight 820Varig Flight 820Varig Flight 820 was a scheduled airline service from Galeão Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Orly Airport, Paris, France. On 11 July 1973, the Boeing 707 made an emergency landing in a field in the Orly commune due to smoke in the cabin...
six years earlier. The crew of 6 died and their bodies were never recovered. - 3 January 1987: a Boeing 707-379CBoeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
registration PP-VJK operating flight 797Varig Flight 797Varig Flight 797 was a flight from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On 3 January 1987 the Boeing 707-379C used for the route crashed on the terrain, killing all 12 crew members and 38 of 39 passengers....
from AbidjanPort Bouet AirportPort Bouet Airport , also known as Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, is located 16 kilometres southeast of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.The airport was one of many hubs for multi-national airline Air Afrique.- Airlines and destinations:...
to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão crashed due to a failure on engine 1 shortly after take-off. While attempting to return to the airport for an emergency landing, it crashed on a field 18 km away from Abidjan’s airport. Of the 51 passengers and crew aboard, a single passenger survived. - 3 September 1989: a Boeing 737-241Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
registration PP-VMK operating flight 254Varig Flight 254Varig Flight 254 was a Boeing 737-241, c/n 21006/398, registration PP-VMK, on a scheduled passenger flight from São Paulo, Brazil to Belém, Pará, Brazil, with several intermediate stopovers, on 3 September 1989. Prior to take off from Marabá, Pará, towards the final destination, the crew entered an...
flying from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Belém-Val de CãesVal de Cães International AirportBelém-Val de Cães/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport is the main airport serving Belém, Brazil. Val de Cães, the name of the neighborhood where the airport is located, is the most common spelling although Val de Cans is also considered correct...
via UberabaUberaba AirportUberaba-Mário de Almeida Franco Airport is the airport serving Uberaba, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-History:Uberaba-Mário de Almeida Franco Airport was founded on May 23, 1935 and originally called after Alberto Santos-Dumont. On June 13, 1980 the name was changed to Mário de Almeida...
, UberlândiaUberlândia AirportUberlândia – Ten. Cel. Av. César Bombonato Airport is the airport serving Uberlândia, Brazil. Since 2001 the airport is named after the Uberlândia-born pilot of the Brazilian Air Force César Bombonato , who died on an air crash....
, GoiâniaSanta Genoveva AirportSanta Genoveva/Goiânia Airport is the airport serving Goiânia, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-History:The airport was inaugurated in 1955 although operations started a few years earlier...
, BrasíliaBrasília International AirportBrasília-Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport is the airport serving Brasília, Brazil. Since April 22, 1999 the airport is named after Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , the 21st President of Brazil....
, ImperatrizImperatriz AirportImperatriz-Prefeito Renato Moreira Airport is the airport serving Imperatriz, Brazil. It is named after a former mayor of Imperatriz.It is operated by Infraero.-History:...
, and MarabáMarabá AirportMarabá Airport is the airport serving Marabá, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:*3 September 1989: a Varig Boeing 737-241 registration PP-VMK operating flight 254 flying from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Belém-Val de Cães with intermediate stops,...
crashed near São José do XinguSão José do XinguSão José do Xingu is a town and municipality in the state of Mato Grosso in the Central-West Region of Brazil.-Plane crash:On 3 September 1989, a Varig Boeing 737-241 registration PP-VMK operating flight 254 flying from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Belém-Val de Cães with intermediate stops, crashed near...
while on its last leg of the flight due to a pilotAviatorAn aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
navigationNavigationNavigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
al error, which led to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent belly landingBelly landingA belly landing or gear-up landing occurs when an aircraft lands without its landing gear fully extended and uses its underside, or belly, as its primary landing device...
into the jungle, 450 miles (724.2 km) southwest of Marabá. Out of 54 occupants, there were 13 fatalities, all of them passengers. The survivors were discovered two days later. - 14 February 1997: a Boeing 737-241Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
registration PP-CJO operating flight 265, flying from MarabáMarabá AirportMarabá Airport is the airport serving Marabá, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:*3 September 1989: a Varig Boeing 737-241 registration PP-VMK operating flight 254 flying from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Belém-Val de Cães with intermediate stops,...
to CarajásCarajás AirportCarajás Airport is the airport serving Parauapebas, Brazil, located in the district of Carajás.It is operated by Infraero.-History:The airport was built by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce as a support to its mining activities. It was inaugurated on September 23, 1982...
while on touch-down procedures at Carajás during a thunderstorm, had its right main gear collapsed rearwards causing the aircraft to veer off the right of the runway. The aircraft ended in the forest. One crew member died.
Incidents
- 30 May 1972: a Lockheed L-188 ElectraLockheed L-188 ElectraThe Lockheed Model 188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flying in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner produced in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes which prompted an expensive modification program to fix a design...
registration PP-VJL operating a flight between São Paulo-Congonhas to Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
was hijacked. The hijacker demanded money. The aircraft was stormed and the hijacker shot.