Brazilian airline
Voepass Linhas Aereas
, stylized as VOEPASS Linhas Aereas and previously known as Passaredo Linhas Aereas, is an airline based in
Ribeirao Preto
, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
[3]
It operates regional services in Brazil. Its main base is
Dr. Leite Lopes Airport
, Ribeirao Preto.
[4]
According to the
National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil
(ANAC), between January and December 2023, VOEPASS Linhas Aereas carried 737,928 passengers and had 0.3% of the domestic
market share
of revenue passenger kilometers (RPK),
[5]
making it the fourth largest domestic airline in Brazil.
History
[
edit
]
Passaredo Transportes Aereos (1995-2002)
[
edit
]
Establishment
[
edit
]
Founded by businessman Jose Luiz Felicio, owner of the bus company Viacao Passaredo and father of the airline's current president, Jose Luiz Felicio Filho, Passaredo Transportes Aereos began operations on July 3, 1995 with two
Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia
, connecting cities such as
Ribeirao Preto
,
Teresina
,
Goiania
,
Brasilia
,
Sao Paulo
,
Curitiba
,
Sao Jose dos Campos
,
Belo Horizonte
and
Vitoria da Conquista
. With the success of the flights, the company leased a third plane of the same model to reinforce its operations.
[6]
In 1997, Passaredo introduced into service a twin-aisle
Airbus A310-300
with capacity for 244 passengers, becoming the first Brazilian airline to operate it,
[7]
followed by a second aircraft to operate on domestic tourist charter flights to destinations in the
Northeast
and international in the
Caribbean
.
In the same period it also incorporated two
ATR-42-300
turboprops, with the intention of incorporating three more aircraft to modernize and expand its fleet, replacing its three Embraer aircraft. However, they were all returned to leasing companies less than two years after being put into operation, due to the "
Samba Effect
", a financial crisis that affected Brazil in 1999 and resulted in a strong devaluation of the real, the national currency.
[8]
2000s
[
edit
]
On April 4, 2002, due to financial difficulties, Passaredo announced the suspension of all its flights with immediate effect for an indefinite period, grounding its fleet made up solely of the two Embraer aircraft acquired in 1997.
[9]
The return as Passaredo Linhas Aereas (2004-2019)
[
edit
]
In March 2004, after a period of studies and preparation, now independent of the Passaredo Group, owner of Viacao Passaredo, the airline returned to operations under the name Passaredo Linhas Aereas, with one of the two EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft that had been grounded two years earlier.
[10]
Some time later, the second plane was reactivated and another four Brasilia were incorporated into the fleet, which began to be replaced by
Embraer
jets from April 2009.
In 2008, Passaredo revealed its new visual identity and an ambitious route and fleet expansion plan,
[11]
announcing the acquisition of five
Embraer ERJ-145
, with a capacity for 50 seats. The second-hand planes were leased directly from Embraer, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2009.
[12]
In 2009, Passaredo opened new routes to
Rio de Janeiro
,
Sao Paulo
,
Porto Alegre
,
Palmas
,
Bauru
,
Marilia
,
Barreiras
,
Presidente Prudente
,
Goiania
[13]
and
Recife
.
[14]
With this, the company more than doubled the number of seats available and consolidated itself as the second largest regional company in Brazil.
2010s
[
edit
]
In 2010, the airline received an
ERJ-135
to accelerate fleet renewal, thus continuing to expand its network. On April 29, 2011, it retired the last three EMB-120 turboprops,
[15]
but stopped flying to Marilia, Bauru and Presidente Prudente, claiming that the ERJ-145s were too large for the demand on these routes.
[16]
From 2010 until 2014, Passaredo had an operational partnership with
GOL Linhas Aereas
, replacing an earlier similar agreement with
TAM Airlines
(now
LATAM Airlines
). However, in 2014, re-established an operational partnership with TAM (now LATAM).
[17]
On May 23, 2012, Passaredo announced the acquisition of 10
ATR 72-600
aircraft, with the option to purchase ten more. And also, the start of operations of the first of six
ATR 72-500
that were leased to expand its fleet.
[18]
Passaredo applied to the Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization Court in Ribeirao Preto on October 19, 2012,
[19]
for the commencement of "judicial reorganization" proceedings pursuant to the New Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law of Brazil (Law 11.101).
[20]
Operations continue as normal.
After filed for bankruptcy protection, the airline decided to begin the retirement of its fleet of Embraer regional jets due to the high cost of operation and maintenance, standardizing its fleet with
ATR 72
turboprops, which in addition to being more economical, have a greater seating capacity and are suitable for operations at airports with limited infrastructure.
[21]
In the year 2014, along with
Avianca Brasil
, Passaredo was considered the safest of Brazil in a ranking of
AirlineRatings.com
, receiving seven star rating. The staff evaluated 449 airlines to security criteria. A total of 149 evaluated airlines got seven stars, the highest score.
[22]
[23]
Partnership with GOL Linhas Aereas
[
edit
]
In January 2017, Passaredo re-established operational partnership with
GOL Linhas Aereas
on selected flights,
[24]
while maintaining partnership with LATAM.
On July 3, 2017, company was sold to
Viacao Itapemirim
[25]
and on August 24 emerges from bankruptcy,
[26]
but on September 11, 2017, resigned the sale to Itapemirim for breach of contract.
[27]
Rebranding to VOEPASS Linhas Aereas (2019-present)
[
edit
]
In June 2019,
GOL Linhas Aereas
and Passaredo expanded their commercial relationship through a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA), with the airline operating regional flights on behalf of GOL, initially connecting the hub at
Brasilia International Airport
with
Sao Jose do Rio Preto
,
Araguaina
and
Barreiras
.
[28]
Over the years, the agreement was expanded, with Passaredo operating up to 14 destinations on flights marketed exclusively by GOL, but operated by Passaredo planes and crew.
Acquisition of MAP Linhas Aereas
[
edit
]
On August 21, 2019, Passaredo announced the purchase of
MAP Linhas Aereas
, including the 12 slots at
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport
granted to MAP on August 14. Passaredo was granted 14 slots.
[29]
Together these slots will help Passaredo to build its own network from Congonhas Airport, focusing on markets underserved or not served. Initially both companies will operate independently but there are plans for a future merger.
[30]
On the same day Passaredo also announced the change of its name to VOEPASS Linhas Aereas.
2020s
[
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]
On June 8, 2021
GOL Linhas Aereas
announced the purchase of
MAP Linhas Aereas
from VOEPASS for R$120 million (US$25.4 million). The transaction included 26 slots at
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport
belonging to MAP and VOEPASS.
[31]
On November 3, 2022, the airline became a member of the
International Air Transport Association
.
[32]
[33]
And two days later, on November 5, 2022, joined the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).
[34]
In April 2023, after
ANAC
released a new regulatory model the previous year that allowed airlines to sell slots without the need for an M&A agreement, GOL reversed its agreement to acquire
MAP Linhas Aereas
, acquiring only the slots at
Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport
.
[35]
Thus, VOEPASS continued to hold all MAP operations, including its air operator certificate, fleet and routes in Manaus.
[36]
In April 2023,
GOL Linhas Aereas
and VOEPASS announced the finalization of their commercial capacity purchase agreements (CPA) effective May 9, 2023, resulting in the suspension of numerous destinations operated by VOEPASS. Between June 2019 and April 2023, the regional airline served up to 14 destinations on behalf of GOL in all regions of Brazil. On the same day, the company announced the expansion of a codeshare agreement with
LATAM Airlines
.
[37]
[38]
Partnership with LATAM Airlines
[
edit
]
On April 11, 2023,
LATAM Airlines
announced the start of ticket sales to 13 regional destinations operated by VOEPASS, namely
Ipatinga
,
Barreiras
,
Feira de Santana
,
Valenca
,
Paulo Afonso
,
Teixeira de Freitas
,
Lencois
,
Fernando de Noronha
,
Uruguaiana
,
Santa Maria
,
Pelotas
,
Santo Angelo
and
Aracati
, in addition to
Coari
,
Carauari
,
Parintins
,
Itaituba
and
Parnaiba
, operated by
MAP Linhas Aereas
on behalf of VOEPASS.
[39]
On September 20, 2023, tour operator CVC announced an exclusive partnership with VOEPASS Linhas Aereas to launch exclusive flights from
Belo Horizonte/Confins
,
Uberlandia
,
Rio de Janeiro/Santos Dumont
,
Sao Jose do Rio Preto
,
Bauru
,
Vitoria
and
Brasilia
, mainly heading to destinations in the Northeast region, such as
Porto Seguro
,
Ilheus
and
Ilha de Comandatuba
, in addition to
Caldas Novas
, the largest hydro-thermal resort in the world. VOEPASS Linhas Aereas forecasts the availability of 70 thousand seats between December 2023 and February 2024; the operation will also continue for the following 12 months, with availability until March 2025, the airline said.
[40]
On February 21, 2024, it announced the launch of six new destinations from March 31, namely
Cascavel
,
Caxias do Sul
,
Florianopolis
,
Maringa
,
Presidente Prudente
and
Rio Verde
. The flights are sold by the airline itself and also through
LATAM Airlines
sales channels, as they will be operated through code-share between the two companies.
[41]
Possible acquisition by LATAM Airlines
[
edit
]
On March 14, 2024, the Fortaleza-based newspaper
Diario do Nordeste
announced, citing airline industry sources, that
LATAM Airlines
had acquired VOEPASS Linhas Aereas with the aim of expanding its operations in secondary and regional markets. The acquisition announcement, according to the newspaper, would be made by the two airlines during a
Brazilian government
event to launch a regional aviation incentive program.
[42]
Rumors increased with the publication of a Concentration Act in the Official Diary of the Union (
DOU
), the official journal of the federal government of Brazil, requested by the airlines, of an operation such as
"acquisition of shares without acquisition of control".
[43]
However, later,
LATAM Airlines
went public to clarify the information, signaling that it had not acquired the regional airline, but that it submitted to the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (
CADE
), a Brazilian antitrust body, the request to carry out a support operation financial support to VOEPASS Linhas Aereas with the aim of optimizing its slots to expand flight and destination options in the Brazilian airline market, with a possible future minority stake in VOEPASS just as one of the guarantee options for this operation. The giant Latin American airline, however, did not provide details on how this support will be provided and how slots will be optimized.
[44]
[45]
Details about the operation later emerged; according to the documents sent to
CADE
, VOEPASS Linhas Aereas will exchange ten pairs of
airport slot
(landing and takeoff times) at
Congonhas Airport
, in
Sao Paulo
, during peak hours, for ten pairs of
LATAM Airlines
slots at the same terminal, however, at less busy times. In return, VOEPASS will issue convertible
debentures
(debt securities), which, together with purchase options, will provide LATAM with the right to, in the future, convert its investment into up to 30% of the shares of VOEPASS and its subsidiary
MAP Linhas Aereas
.
[46]
Destinations
[
edit
]
As of April 2024, VOEPASS operated scheduled services to the following destinations in
Brazil
. Former destinations include those operated on behalf of
GOL Linhas Aereas
. Present destinations include those operated on behalf of
LATAM Brasil
and operated by
MAP Linhas Aereas
:
[47]
[48]
Codeshare agreements
[
edit
]
As of April 2024, VOEPASS Linhas Aereas has
codeshare agreements
with the following airlines:
Fleet
[
edit
]
The airline's fleet is made up exclusively of turboprop aircraft from the Italian-French manufacturer
ATR
. A curious fact is that all aircraft are named after birds of the
Brazilian fauna
. VOEPASS Linhas Aereas fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of April 2024):
[51]
[52]
Former fleet
[
edit
]
Accidents and incidents
[
edit
]
- On August 25, 2010,
Passaredo Linhas Aereas Flight 2231
, operated by an
Embraer ERJ-145
, crashed on approach to
Vitoria da Conquista
. The plane landed short of the runway and the crew lost control, severely damaging the aircraft before it came to a stop away from the runway. Two of the twenty-seven people on board were injured. The airline said the plane was unable to lower landing gear, although observers said the landing gear was down while the aircraft was landing.
[53]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"Empresas Aereas - Consulta"
.
ANAC
(in Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 15,
2024
.
- ^
"VOEPASS amplia voos nas regioes Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil"
.
VOEPASS Linhas Aereas
(in Brazilian Portuguese). February 21, 2024
. Retrieved
April 12,
2024
.
- ^
"
Fale Conosco
." Passaredo Transportes Aereos. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.
- ^
"Directory: World Airlines".
Flight International
. April 10, 2007. p. 61.
- ^
"Relatorio de demanda e oferta do transporte aereo"
.
Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC)
(in Portuguese)
. Retrieved
February 15,
2024
.
- ^
Ferreira, Carlos (July 3, 2020).
"Passaredo completa 25 anos de vida com novo recomeco e video especial"
.
AEROIN
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
AlexandreACW (April 10, 2012).
"Uma pequena historia do Airbus A-310 no Brasil"
.
Avioes e Musicas
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
AlexandreACW (June 13, 2013).
"Uma breve historia da Passaredo"
.
Avioes e Musicas
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Vechia, Silvia Dalla (April 8, 2002).
"Passaredo suspende voos"
.
Portal PANROTAS
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Barros, Alexandre (March 1, 2004).
"Passaredo retoma hoje operacoes em Curitiba"
.
Portal Aviacao Brasil
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Niemeyer, Felipe (November 28, 2008).
"Passaredo tem nova marca e quer crescer 250%"
.
Portal PANROTAS
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Passaredo anuncia a encomenda de cinco jatos ERJ 145"
.
Flap International
(in Brazilian Portuguese). November 17, 2008
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/aviacao/passaredo-anuncia-novos-voos-em-goiania/
- ^
https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/aviacao/passaredo-inicia-operacoes-para-recife/
- ^
Poggio, Guilherme (April 26, 2011).
"Passaredo encerrara operacoes com EMB-120 Brasilia"
.
Poder Aereo ? Aviacao, Forcas Aereas, Industria Aeroespacial e de Defesa
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Passaredo encerra operacoes em Marilia, Bauru e Presidente Prudente"
.
Portal Regional - Portal de Noticias de Dracena
(in Brazilian Portuguese). February 13, 2011
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"TAM nega interesse na Passaredo e anuncia acordo"
(in Portuguese). Panrotas. July 17, 2014
. Retrieved
August 6,
2014
.
- ^
"Passaredo anuncia aquisicao de dez aeronaves"
.
VEJA
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Andrade, Artur Luiz (October 19, 2012).
"Passaredo pede recuperacao judicial"
(in Portuguese). Panrotas
. Retrieved
October 20,
2012
.
- ^
"Lei n˚11.101, de 9 de fevereiro de 2005"
(in Portuguese). Presidencia da Republica: Casa Civil. February 9, 2005
. Retrieved
October 20,
2012
.
- ^
"Passaredo vai encerrar as operacoes com jatos ERJ 145"
.
Flap International
(in Brazilian Portuguese). September 25, 2012
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Relatorio traz 10 companhias aereas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais"
.
BBC News Brasil
(in Brazilian Portuguese). January 6, 2015
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Relatorio traz 10 companhias aereas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais"
.
Turismo e Viagem
(in Brazilian Portuguese). January 6, 2015
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Passagens Aereas na GOL"
.
GOL. Linhas Aereas Inteligentes.
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
September 7,
2018
.
- ^
"Passaredo Linhas Aereas e vendida para Grupo da Viacao Itapemirim"
(in Portuguese). Diario do Transporte. July 3, 2017.
- ^
"Justica determina fim da recuperacao judicial da Passaredo"
.
IstoE Dinheiro
(in Brazilian Portuguese). August 24, 2017
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"Passaredo desfaz venda a Itapemirim por descumprimento de contrato"
(in Portuguese). Folha De S.Paulo. September 11, 2017.
- ^
Alvarenga, Thayana (September 2, 2019).
"Gol inicia tres rotas saindo de Brasilia em parceria com a Passaredo"
.
Melhores Destinos
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"ANAC oficializa alocacao de slots em Congonhas"
.
Panrotas
(in Portuguese). August 14, 2019
. Retrieved
August 22,
2019
.
- ^
"Passaredo anuncia a compra da regional MAP"
.
Panrotas
(in Portuguese). August 21, 2019
. Retrieved
August 22,
2019
.
- ^
"GOL tera todos os slots de MAP e Passaredo no Aeroporto de Congonhas"
.
Aeroin
(in Portuguese). June 8, 2021
. Retrieved
June 10,
2021
.
- ^
Fernandes, Victor (November 3, 2022).
"Voepass e a mais nova empresa aerea membro da Iata"
.
Portal PANROTAS
.
- ^
"News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry | CAPA"
.
centreforaviation.com
.
- ^
Ferreira, Carlos (November 5, 2020).
"VOEPASS agora e uma empresa aerea ALTA"
.
AEROIN
(in Brazilian Portuguese).
- ^
"Gol diz estudar alternativas para comprar slots da Voepass em Congonhas; compra de MAP nao devera ocorrer"
.
Valor Economico
(in Brazilian Portuguese). April 26, 2023
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"CABANGU Aviation | MAP VOEPASS"
.
www.acwservices.com.br
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Meier, Ricardo (April 11, 2023).
"VoePass se aproxima da LATAM apos fim da parceria com a Gol"
.
Airway
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
"GOL suspende acordo com VOEPASS e corta voos para diversas cidades do pais - ONTIME"
(in Brazilian Portuguese). April 2, 2023
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Basseto, Murilo (April 11, 2023).
"Latam anuncia venda de voos para 13 novos destinos no Brasil em parceria com a Voepass"
.
AEROIN
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
March 1,
2024
.
- ^
Menezes, Pedro (September 20, 2023).
"CVC anuncia mais de 70 mil lugares em voos exclusivos da Voepass ate marco de 2025"
.
Mercado & Eventos
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 12,
2024
.
- ^
"VOEPASS amplia voos nas regioes Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil"
.
VOEPASS Linhas Aereas
(in Brazilian Portuguese). February 21, 2024
. Retrieved
April 12,
2024
.
- ^
Morgado, Joao (March 14, 2024).
"LATAM esta perto de adquirir a VOEPASS"
.
Travel4All
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 17,
2024
.
- ^
"Edital nº 123, de 13 de marco de 2024"
.
Diario Oficial da Uniao
(in Brazilian Portuguese). March 13, 2024
. Retrieved
April 17,
2024
.
- ^
Martins, Carlos (March 14, 2024).
"LATAM nega compra da Voepass, mas fala de apoio financeiro com otimizacao de slots"
.
AeroIN
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 17,
2024
.
- ^
Cardoso, Marcel (March 14, 2024).
"Latam negou que esteja comprando a Voepass"
.
AERO Magazine
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 17,
2024
.
- ^
Setti, Rennan (March 14, 2024).
"Os detalhes da operacao entre Latam e VoePass ? participacao pode ser de ate 30%"
.
O Globo
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 17,
2024
.
- ^
"Destinos"
.
Voepass Linhas Aereas
(in Portuguese)
. Retrieved
August 13,
2023
.
- ^
"Consulta de voos planejados - SIROS"
.
ANAC
(in Brazilian Portuguese)
. Retrieved
April 29,
2024
.
- ^
https://aeroin.net/aeroporto-de-maringa-pr-ganha-mais-voos-diretos-para-congonhas-com-nova-operacao-da-voepass/
- ^
"VoePass suspende temporariamente voos entre Araguaina e Brasilia, e informa previsao de retorno"
.
AF Noticias
(in Brazilian Portuguese). April 19, 2024.
- ^
"Voepass Fleet Details and History"
.
Planespotters
. April 8, 2024
. Retrieved
April 16,
2024
.
- ^
"Aviacao Comercial Brasileira - Frota atual"
(PDF)
.
Aeromuseu
(in Portuguese). April 7, 2024
. Retrieved
April 16,
2024
.
- ^
"Accident: Passaredo E145 at Vitoria da Conquista on Aug 25th 2010, landed short of runway"
. The Aviation Herald. August 26, 2010
. Retrieved
August 28,
2010
.
External links
[
edit
]