Voepass
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| |||||||
| Founded | 1995 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | July 3, 1995 | ||||||
| AOC # | 12,794 - October 13, 2023[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | Ribeirão Preto | ||||||
| Focus cities | São Paulo–Congonhas | ||||||
| Subsidiaries | MAP Linhas Aéreas | ||||||
| Fleet size | 14 (as of November 2024) | ||||||
| Destinations | 16 (as of November 2024) | ||||||
| Headquarters | Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | ||||||
| Key people | |||||||
| Founders | José Luiz Felício | ||||||
| Employees | 1,087 (as of April 2024)[2] | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
Voepass Linhas Aéreas, stylized as VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas and previously known as Passaredo Linhas Aéreas, is an airline based in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.[3] It operates regional services in Brazil. Its main base is Leite Lopes Airport, Ribeirão Preto.[4]
According to the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), between January and December 2023, VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas 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 Aéreos (1995–2002)
[edit]Establishment
[edit]Founded by businessman José Luiz Felício, owner of the bus company Viação Passaredo and father of the airline's current president, José Luiz Felício Filho, Passaredo Transportes Aéreos began operations on July 3, 1995 with two Embraer EMB-120 Brasília, connecting cities such as Ribeirão Preto, Teresina, Goiânia, Brasília, São Paulo, Curitiba, São José dos Campos, Belo Horizonte and Vitória 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, to incorporate 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]
Return to Passaredo Linhas Aéreas (2004–2019)
[edit]In March 2004, after a period of studies and preparation, now independent of the Passaredo Group, owner of Viação Passaredo, the airline returned to operations under the name Passaredo Linhas Aéreas, with one of the two EMB-120 Brasília aircraft that had been grounded two years earlier.[10] Some time later, the second plane was reactivated and another four Brasília were incorporated into the fleet, which began to be replaced by Embraer jets from April 2009.
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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, São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Palmas, Bauru, Marília, Barreiras, Presidente Prudente, Goiânia[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 Marília, 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 Aéreas, 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 Ribeirão 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.
,_Passaredo_Transportes_Aereos_AN1989147.jpg){kind=spacer}
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 Aéreas
[edit]In January 2017, Passaredo re-established operational partnership with GOL Linhas Aéreas on selected flights,[24] while maintaining partnership with LATAM.
On July 3, 2017, company was sold to Viação 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 Aéreas (2019–2024)
[edit]In June 2019, GOL Linhas Aéreas 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 Brasília International Airport with São José do Rio Preto, Araguaína 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 Aéreas
[edit]On August 21, 2019, Passaredo announced the purchase of MAP Linhas Aéreas, including the 12 slots at São 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 Aéreas.
2020s
[edit]On June 8, 2021, GOL Linhas Aéreas announced the purchase of MAP Linhas Aéreas from VOEPASS for R$120 million (US$25.4 million). The transaction included 26 slots at São Paulo Congonhas Airport belonging to MAP and VOEPASS.[31]
_(Passaredo_Linhas_A%C3%A9reas)_.jpg)
On November 3, 2022, the airline became a member of the International Air Transport Association.[32][33] Two days later, on November 5, 2022, it 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 Aéreas, acquiring only the slots at São 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 Aéreas 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, Valença, Paulo Afonso, Teixeira de Freitas, Lençóis, Fernando de Noronha, Uruguaiana, Santa Maria, Pelotas, Santo Ângelo and Aracati, in addition to Coari, Carauari, Parintins, Itaituba and Parnaíba, operated by MAP Linhas Aéreas on behalf of VOEPASS.[39]
On September 20, 2023, tour operator CVC announced an exclusive partnership with VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas to launch exclusive flights from Belo Horizonte/Confins, Uberlândia, Rio de Janeiro/Santos Dumont, São José do Rio Preto, Bauru, Vitória and Brasília, mainly heading to destinations in the Northeast region, such as Porto Seguro, Ilhéus and Ilha de Comandatuba, in addition to Caldas Novas, the largest hydro-thermal resort in the world. VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas 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, Florianópolis, Maringá, 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.[2]
Possible acquisition by LATAM Airlines
[edit]On March 14, 2024, the Fortaleza-based newspaper Diário do Nordeste announced, citing airline industry sources, that LATAM Airlines had acquired VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas to expand 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.[41] 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".[42]
However, later, LATAM Airlines went public to clarify the information, signalling 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 Aéreas to optimize 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.[43][44]
Details about the operation later emerged; according to the documents sent to CADE, VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas will exchange ten pairs of airport slot (landing and takeoff times) at Congonhas Airport, in São 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 Aéreas.[45]
Restructuring (2024-present)
[edit]As a result of the accident involving flight 2283 on August 9, 2024, VOEPASS came under the scrutiny of the media and public opinion. As a result, it began a restructuring process throughout its operational structure, from the reformulation of the flight network and the suspension of destinations, to the change of executives.[46]
On September 25, 2024, after several questions related to maintenance problems were reported by the media, VOEPASS announced the dismissal of the directors of Operational Safety, Maintenance and Operations. The company's president and co-founder, José Luiz Felício Filho, assumed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Eduardo Busch, former CEO, assumed the position of Chief Legal Officer (CLO).[47] Subsequently, less than a month later, Busch was fired from the airline.[48]
On November 7, 2024, VOEPASS suspended the sale of tickets to its own destinations through its website, launching a new route network that only includes destinations sold exclusively by LATAM Airlines through a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA), in addition to its contract for the transportation of employees of the state-owned company Petrobras in the state of Amazonas.[49]
Destinations
[edit]As of November 2024, VOEPASS operated scheduled services to the following destinations in Brazil. Former destinations include those operated on behalf of GOL Linhas Aéreas. Present destinations include those operated on behalf of LATAM Brasil and operated by MAP Linhas Aéreas:[50][51]
| Base | |
| Future | |
| Terminated |
Codeshare agreements
[edit]As of November 2024, VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:
Fleet
[edit]Current fleet
[edit]The airline's fleet is made up exclusively of turboprop aircraft from the Italian-French manufacturer ATR. All aircraft are named after birds of the Brazilian fauna. VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas' fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of November 2024):[52][53]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-500 | 2 | — | 48 | All opby MAP Linhas Aéreas | |
| ATR 72-500 | 8 | — | 68 | Reg. PR-PDT opby MAP Linhas Aéreas | |
| 72 | |||||
| 74 | |||||
| ATR 72-600 | 4 | — | 68 | ||
| 72 | |||||
| TOTAL | 14 | — | |||
Gallery
[edit]- VOEPASS current fleet
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Former fleet
[edit]| Aircraft | Total | Years of operation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer EMB 120ER Brasília | 7 | 1995–2011 | |
| Airbus A310 | 2 | 1997–1999 | |
| ATR 42–300 | 2 | 1999–2000 | |
| ATR 72–500 | 1 | 2022 - 2024 | Crashed as Flight 2283 |
| Embraer ERJ 135 | 1 | 2009–2010 | |
| Embraer ERJ 145 | 15 | 2009–2013 |
Accidents and incidents
[edit]- On August 25, 2010, Passaredo Linhas Aéreas Flight 2231, operated by an Embraer ERJ-145, crashed on approach to Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. 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.[54]
- On August 9, 2024, Voepass Flight 2283, operated by an ATR 72-500 (registered as PS-VPB), crashed in the municipality of Vinhedo, São Paulo. All 58 passengers and 4 crew members aboard died.[55] The flight was en route from Cascavel to São Paulo–Guarulhos. The crash remains under investigation.[56]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Empresas Aéreas - Consulta". ANAC (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "VOEPASS amplia voos nas regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil". VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas (in Brazilian Portuguese). February 21, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Fale Conosco". Passaredo Transportes Aéreos. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. April 10, 2007. p. 61.
- ^ "Relatório de demanda e oferta do transporte aéreo". Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) (in Portuguese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Ferreira, Carlos (July 3, 2020). "Passaredo completa 25 anos de vida com novo recomeço e vídeo especial". AEROIN (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ AlexandreACW (April 10, 2012). "Uma pequena história do Airbus A-310 no Brasil". Aviões e Músicas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ AlexandreACW (June 13, 2013). "Uma breve história da Passaredo". Aviões e Músicas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Vechia, Silvia Dalla (April 8, 2002). "Passaredo suspende vôos". Portal PANROTAS. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Barros, Alexandre (March 1, 2004). "Passaredo retoma hoje operações em Curitiba". Portal Aviação 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.
- ^ "Passaredo anuncia novos voos em Goiânia".
- ^ "Passaredo inicia operações para Recife".
- ^ Poggio, Guilherme (April 26, 2011). "Passaredo encerrará operações com EMB-120 Brasília". Poder Aéreo – Aviação, Forças Aéreas, Indústria Aeroespacial e de Defesa (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Passaredo encerra operações em Marília, Bauru e Presidente Prudente". Portal Regional - Portal de Notícias 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 aquisição de dez aeronaves". VEJA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Andrade, Artur Luiz (October 19, 2012). "Passaredo pede recuperação judicial" (in Portuguese). Panrotas. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ "Lei n˚11.101, de 9 de fevereiro de 2005" (in Portuguese). Presidência da República: Casa Civil. February 9, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ "Passaredo vai encerrar as operações com jatos ERJ 145". Flap International (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 25, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Relatório traz 10 companhias aéreas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais". BBC News Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 6, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Relatório traz 10 companhias aéreas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais". Turismo e Viagem (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 6, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Passagens Aéreas na GOL". GOL. Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes. (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "Passaredo Linhas Aéreas é vendida para Grupo da Viação Itapemirim" (in Portuguese). Diário do Transporte. July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Justiça determina fim da recuperação judicial da Passaredo". IstoÉ Dinheiro (in Brazilian Portuguese). August 24, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Passaredo desfaz venda à Itapemirim por descumprimento de contrato" (in Portuguese). Folha De S.Paulo. September 11, 2017.
- ^ Alvarenga, Thayana (September 2, 2019). "Gol inicia três rotas saindo de Brasília em parceria com a Passaredo". Melhores Destinos (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "ANAC oficializa alocação 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 terá 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 é a mais nova empresa aérea membro da Iata". Portal PANROTAS.
- ^ "News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry | CAPA". centreforaviation.com.
- ^ Ferreira, Carlos (November 5, 2020). "VOEPASS agora é uma empresa aérea ALTA". AEROIN (in Brazilian Portuguese).
- ^ "Gol diz estudar alternativas para comprar slots da Voepass em Congonhas; compra de MAP não deverá ocorrer". Valor Econômico (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 após 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 país - 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 até março de 2025". Mercado & Eventos (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Morgado, João (March 14, 2024). "LATAM está perto de adquirir a VOEPASS". Travel4All (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Edital nº 123, de 13 de março de 2024". Diário Oficial da União (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 otimização 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 operação entre Latam e VoePass — participação pode ser de até 30%". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "Voepass demite três diretores e faz reestruturação". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Menezes, Pedro (September 26, 2024). "Voepass demite diretores, e presidente assume gestão direta das operações". Panrotas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Menezes, Pedro (October 20, 2024). "Voepass demite ex-CEO em crise após acidente aéreo". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "Voepass suspende vendas de passagens aéreas no próprio site". UOL (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "Destinos". Voepass Linhas Aéreas (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ "Consulta de voos planejados - SIROS". ANAC (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Voepass Fleet Details and History". Planespotters. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Aviação 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.
- ^ "Plane crash in Brazil's São Paulo state kills all 61 on board". BBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Araujo, Gabriel (August 27, 2024). "Brazilian Congress creates committee on Voepass crash investigation". Reuters. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
External links
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