VARIG Airlines is Brazilian airliner based at Sao Paulo. This private airline offers flights within Brazil and to nearby countries such as Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela and Chile.
It is the first and one of the oldest airlines in South America. VARIG Airlines origin can be traced back to May 27, 1927, when it was started as Viacao Aera Rio Grandense.
This airline began its first flight between Porto Alegre and Rio Grande via Pelotas. In 1933, Gruzeiro do Sul, the other oldest airliner in Brazil merged with VIRIG.
The new entity commenced its first international flight in August 1942 by flying to Montevideo.
During 1961, VARIG Airline overtook Real Transportes Aereos to become the largest airliner in South America.
VARIG airlines flights began its transatlantic destinations in 1969, when the Panair, the national carrier was shut down by the, then military government.
In 1985, the headquarters was shifted to Rio de Janeiro. In 2006, the airline became bankrupt and the assets were auctioned. Gol Linhas Aeros, the present owner picked up the mantle of the airline.
VARIG airline cheap flights covers Manaus, Brasilia, Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizone, and Sao Paula apart from Rio de Janeiro in domestic sector.
Its international network includes Venezuela, Colombia, and Chile.
VARIG airline experienced several economic turbulences in its long history.
This airline suffered heavy losses in 2006 and approached courts for Commercial Bankruptcy & Reorganization. As a result this airline was sold to Volo group for US$ 24 million. Due to this, VARIG was removed from Star Alliance as it failed to fulfill its membership obligations.
Eventually, VARIG was bought by Gol Linhas and the fleet capacity was expanded to 34 from original 17.
This helped in adding 12 more international destinations.
VARIG decided to offer only economy class in all its international routes. Again in 2009, the American and European services were terminated of this airline.
However, VARIG airline is planning to come out of set backs and resuming its flights to Japan, Europe, Asia including Indian destinations
. At present, VARIG airline has a fleet capacity of 20 aircrafts including Boeing 737.700, Boeing 737.
800 and Boeing 767.300 ER
