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Viação Aérea São Paulo S/A (São Paulo Airways), better known as VASP, was an airline with its head office in the VASP Building at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Brazil.[1] It had main bases at São Paulo's two major airports, São Paulo–Congonhas Airport (CGH) and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
Key Information
History
[edit]


The airline was established on 4 November 1933 by the state government of São Paulo, and began operations on 12 November of that year.[2] VASP was the first airline to serve the interior of the state of São Paulo (São Paulo-São Carlos-São José do Rio Preto and São Paulo-Ribeirão Preto-Uberaba), with two Monospar ST-4s. At the beginning of the 1930s, it was the only carrier to operate with land planes in its service area, an advantage due to the lack of adequate non-coastal airports; many landing strips were improvised on flat pastures. The insistence on land planes led to the 1936 construction of one of Brazil's most important airports: Congonhas in the city of São Paulo, far from the coast. During its early years, Congonhas Airport was popularly known as Campo da VASP ("VASP's airfield").[3]
VASP bought Aerolloyd Iguassu in 1939, including a license to operate flights to the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina. In 1962, VASP became a national airline when it acquired Lóide Aéreo Nacional and its license to operate nationwide.
VASP, Cruzeiro do Sul and Varig initiated air-shuttle service between Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont and São Paulo-Congonhas airports on 6 July 1959, the first of its kind in the world. The three companies coordinated their schedules and operations, and shared revenue. The service was a direct response to competition from Real Transportes Aéreos. The idea, Air Bridge (Ponte Aérea in Portuguese), was inspired by the Berlin Airlift. It was successful, continuing until 1999.[4] Flights initially operated on an hourly basis by Convair 240 (Varig), Convair 340 (Cruzeiro) and Saab 90 Scandia (VASP). In a few months the shuttle service led by Varig won the battle against Real, which was bought by Varig in 1961. Sadia Transportes Aéreos joined the service in 1968. It was operated exclusively between 1975 and 1992 by Varig's Lockheed L-188 Electra, which for some time did not have the name "Varig" on the fuselage for neutrality.
Although it had been remarkably well-run for most of its life as a state-owned company, by the 1980s VASP was plagued by inefficiency, losses covered by state-capital injections, and a bloated payroll for political reasons. Under the Brazilian government's new neoliberal policies, VASP was privatized in 1990. A majority stake was bought by the VOE/Canhedo Group, a company formed by the Canhedo Group of Brasília and VASP employees.
Under Wagner Canhedo, its new owner and president, VASP quickly expanded operations in the country and created international routes. Until VASP's entry into the international market, Varig had been Brazil's sole international airline since 1965. After many years of mismanagement, financial losses, debt and bad credit, in 2002 it cancelled its international operations to concentrate on the domestic market. VASP had fallen from the second to fourth place in the Brazilian airline market by then, flying an aging fleet of Boeing 737s (most of them in the obsolete −200 series) and Airbus A300s.
The company faced its worst crisis in 2004 as new airlines rose in the country, which led to the suspension of service to many Brazilian cities and the cancellation of flights. On December 31, 2004 VASP began retiring their Boeing 737-300s. As a result, the airline's domestic market share fell to 10 percent. On 27 January 2005, Brazilian civil-aviation regulator DAC grounded the airline from operating scheduled services pending a financial investigation. VASP was allowed to operate charter services until April 2005, giving it a chance to prove its financial stability and retain its air-operator certificate.
VASP had stopped flying altogether by December 2007, and was reduced to providing maintenance services to other airlines. Even during the worst of the company's troubles, its maintenance expertise and personnel had always been held in high regard. It had been operating under the new Brazilian bankruptcy law since July 2006, and had its recovery plan approved on 27 August of that year. However, VASP declared bankruptcy in 2008.
In October 2020, nine of the company's planes (seven Boeing 737-200s and two Airbus A300s) had been grounded at Congonhas-São Paulo Airport since 2005 and were badly weathered and dilapidated; they began to be dismantled and sold for scrap at auction. Each plane in its current condition was estimated to be worth 30,000 to 50,000 Brazilian Reais (about US$6,000 to $10,000, as of 2025), considerably less than its monthly parking and storage fees. The company's fleet of 27 planes had been grounded in similar circumstances since 2005 at several Brazilian airports.
Services
[edit]At closure
[edit]
In January 2005, VASP had domestic service to Aracaju, Belém, Brasília, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Foz do Iguaçu, Maceió, Manaus, Natal, Recife, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont, Salvador, São Luís, São Paulo–Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Teresina and Porto Alegre.
Before closure
[edit]VASP had an extensive network covering virtually every major Brazilian city with an airport. During the 1990s, the airline also had international service Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Quito, Miami, New York–JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto–Pearson, Seoul–Gimpo, Casablanca, Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels, Osaka–Kansai, Athens, Frankfurt and Zurich.
Fleet
[edit]Fleet history
[edit]



VASP had the following aircraft:[5][6]
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A300B2 | 3 | 1982 | 2005 | |
| Airbus A310-300 | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | Leased from Ecuatoriana de Aviación |
| BAC One-Eleven Series 400 | 2 | 1967 | 1974 | |
| Boeing 707-320C | 3 | 1992 | 1995 | |
| Boeing 727-100C | 2 | 1979 | 1981 | |
| Boeing 727-200 | 13 | 1977 | 2005 | |
| Boeing 737-200 | 41 | 1969 | 2005 | |
| Boeing 737-300 | 26 | 1986 | 2004 | |
| Boeing 737-400 | 3 | 1991 | 1992 | |
| Curtiss C-46 Commando | 14 | 1962 | 1973 | |
| de Havilland Dragon | 1 | 1934 | 1941 | |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | 1 | 1951 | Unknown | |
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | 9 | 1946 | 1981 | |
| Douglas C-54 Skymaster | 8 | 1962 | 1970 | |
| Douglas DC-3 | 3 | 1951 | 1962 | |
| Douglas DC-6A | 4 | 1962 | 1977 | |
| Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante | 10 | 1973 | 1992 | |
| GAL ST4 Monospar | 2 | 1933 | 1944 | |
| Junkers Ju 52 | 7 | 1937 | 1957 | |
| Learjet 35A | 1 | 1991 | 1996 | |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | 6 | 1991 | 1996 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11 | 9 | 1992 | 2001 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11ER | 1 | 1998 | 1998 | Leased from World Airways |
| NAMC YS-11A | 8 | 1968 | 1977 | |
| Saab 90 Scandia | 18 | 1950 | 1969 | |
| Vickers Viscount 700 | 10 | 1962 | 1975 | |
| Vickers Viscount 800 | 6 | 1958 | 1975 |
Fleet in 1970
[edit]| Aircraft | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BAC One-Eleven 400 | 22 | |
| Boeing 737 | 50 | |
| Douglas DC-3 | 30 | |
| Douglas DC-6A | 4 | |
| Vickers Viscount 700 | 32 | |
| Vickers Viscount 800 | 24 | |
| NAMC YS-11 | 7 | |
| Total | 124 |
VASPEX
[edit]
VASPEX, VASP's cargo subsidiary, filed for bankruptcy and went bankrupt with VASP on September 4, 2008. It operated the Boeing 727 and 737-200 throughout Brazil.[8][9]
VASPEX fleet
[edit]| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 727-200F | 12 | 1996 | 2005 | |
| Boeing 737-200F | 8 | 1993 | 2005 | |
| Douglas DC-8-63F | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | Leased from Arrow Air |
| Douglas DC-8-71F | 3 | 1991 | 1993 | |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30CF | 1 | 1997 | 1998 | Leased from World Airways |
Exhibit
[edit]The third ex-VASP B737, the first operator of the Boeing model in Brazil, is at Auto Shopping Só Marcas in Contagem near the Belo Horizonte border. With the old license plate PP-SMC, the B737-200 was manufactured in 1969 and flew on VASP until the company closed. It remained at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport for several years before it was bought at auction by the shopping-center owner.
The plane has been the scene of several events, and was used in propaganda by the Workers' Party (PT) in 2022; a girl who decorated it with World Cup stickers. It was the backdrop for a March 18, 2023 Red Room nighttime event with German DJ Emanuel Satie and Brazilian DJ Jessica Brankka.[10][11][12]
Accidents and incidents
[edit]Accidents
[edit]- 8 November 1940: a Junkers Ju 52/3mg3e (registration PP-SPF) taking off from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to São Paulo-Congonhas collided on mid-air with a de Havilland Dragonfly (registration LV-KAB) belonging to the Anglo Mexican Petroleum Company (Shell-Mex) which was preparing for a water landing in front of Fluminense Yacht Club (present-day Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club in Botafogo). Both aircraft crashed, killing all 14 passengers and four crew on the VASP aircraft and the pilot of the Shell-Mex aircraft.[13][14]
- 27 August 1943: a Junkers Ju 52/3mg3e (registration PP-SPD) flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont struck a Naval Academy building near the airport shortly after a second attempt to land at Rio in fog. The aircraft broke in two, and one part fell in the water. Of the 21 passengers and crew, three survived.[15][16]
- 13 December 1950: a Douglas C-47A (registration PP-SPT) on an initial climb from Londrina lost engine power, crashed and caught fire. There were 3 ground fatalities.[17]
- 18 May 1951: a Douglas C-47B (registration PP-SPL) en route from Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo to Presidente Prudente hit high ground while flying in bad weather. All six passengers and crew died.[18]
- 8 September 1951: a Douglas C-47B (registration PP-SPQ) struck a house after take-off from São Paulo-Congonhas and crashed. Thirteen passengers and crew and three people on the ground died.[19]
- 13 May 1952: a Douglas C-47B (registration PP-SPM) pilot flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Bauru lost control when carrying out an emergency landing after an engine failure. Two crew members and three passengers died.[20]
- 30 December 1958: a Saab Scandia 90A (registration PP-SQE) flying from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to São Paulo-Congonhas during a climb after take-off experienced engine failure. The pilot began to return to the airport, but during the second turn the aircraft stalled and crashed into Guanabara Bay. Of the 34 passengers and crew aboard, 20 died.[21][22]
- 23 September 1959: a Saab Scandia 90A (registration PP-SQV) en route from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont during a climb after take-off did not gain enough height and crashed 1+1⁄2 minutes out of São Paulo, killing all 20 passengers and crew.[23][24]
- 22 December 1959: a Vickers Viscount 800 (registration PP-SRG) operating as Flight 233 on approach to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão was involved in a mid-air collision with a Brazilian Air Force Fokker S-11 (T-21) (serial number FAB0742) near Manguinhos Airport. All 32 people aboard the Viscount were killed, in addition to ten on the ground. The T-21 pilot parachuted to safety. The accident led to the eventual closure of Manguinhos Airport.[25][26][27]
- 26 November 1962: a Saab Scandia 90A (registration PP-SRA) en route from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont collided in the air over Paraibuna with a private Cessna 310 (registration PT-BRQ) en route from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to São Paulo-Campo de Marte. Both were flying on the same airway (AB-6) in opposite directions, and did not have visual contact. The crash killed all 23 passengers and crew of the Saab and four occupants of the Cessna.[28][29]
- 4 September 1964: a Vickers Viscount 701C (registration PP-SRR) operating flight 141 from Vitória to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont collided with a mountain over Nova Friburgo while flying away from the intended track. All 39 passengers and crew died.[30][31]
- 3 March 1965: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRQ) was damaged beyond repair at Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport when the aircraft left the runway during a simulated engine failure on take-off.[32]
- 31 October 1966: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRM) was damaged beyond repair when it overran the runway at Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport.[33]
- 15 September 1968: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRE) crashed at São Paulo on a crew-training flight. One of the two crew members was killed.[34]
- 11 January 1969: a Douglas C-47A (registration PP-SPR) was damaged beyond repair at Loanda, Paraná.[35]
- 14 September 1969: a Douglas C-47B (registration PP-SPP) operating flight 555 took off from Londrina to São Paulo-Congonhas. Due to a feathered propeller, it had to return. On approach for landing, the aircraft made a sharp left turn and crashed. All 20 passengers and crew died.[36][37]
- 12 April 1972: a NAMC YS-11A (registration PP-SMI) flying from São Paulo-Congonhas to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont flew into a mountain on descent 50 km north of Rio de Janeiro due to pilot error. All 25 passengers and crew died.[38][39]
- 29 January 1973: a Douglas C-47 (registration PP-SQA) crashed on landing at Rondonópolis Airport.[40]
- 15 May 1973: a Vickers Viscount (registration PP-SRD) was damaged beyond economic repair when it departed the runway on landing at Salvador Airport and the undercarriage collapsed.[41]
- 23 October 1973: a NAMC YS-11A (registration PP-SMJ) flying from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to Belo Horizonte-Pampulha overran the runway during an aborted take-off and slid into Guanabara Bay. Of the 65 passengers and crew, eight passengers died.[42][43]
- 27 February 1975: an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante (registration PP-SBE) operating Flight 640 from São Paulo-Congonhas to Bauru and Araçatuba crashed after take-off from Congonhas. Both crew members and 13 passengers died.[44][45]
- 25 May 1982: VASP Flight 234, a Boeing 737-200 (registered as PP-SMY), made a hard landing (nose gear first) at Brasília during rain. The gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded off the runway, breaking in two. Two passengers of 118 occupants died.[46]
- 8 June 1982: a Boeing 727-200 (registration PP-SRK) operating Flight 168 from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Fortaleza collided with a mountain on approach to Fortaleza. The captain descended below the minimum descent altitude, and all 137 passengers and crew died.[47][48]
- 28 January 1986: VASP Flight 210 flying from São Paulo-Guarulhos to Belo Horizonte unknowingly tried to take off from Guarulhos in foggy conditions from a taxiway. The take-off was aborted but the aircraft overran, collided with a dyke and broke in two. One passenger died.[49]
- 22 June 1992: a cargo Boeing 737-200C (registration PP-SND) en route from Rio Branco to Cruzeiro do Sul crashed in the jungle on arrival at Cruzeiro do Sul. The two-person crew and one occupant died.[50]
Incidents
[edit]- 25 April 1970: a Boeing 737-2A1 en route from Brasília to Manaus-Ponta Pelada was hijacked by a person who demanded to be flown to Cuba. The hijack lasted a day.[51]
- 14 May 1970: a Boeing 737-2A1 en route from Brasília to Manaus-Ponta Pelada was hijacked by a person who demanded to be flown to Cuba]. The hijack lasted a day.[52]
- 22 February 1975: a Boeing 737-2A1 (registration PP-SMU) en route from Goiânia to Brasília was hijacked by a person who demanded ransom. The hijacker was taken down.[53]
- 29 September 1988: a Boeing 737-300 (registration PP-SNT) operating Flight 375 en route from Porto Velho to Rio de Janeiro via Brasília, Goiânia and Belo Horizonte-Confins was hijacked by one person on the final leg of the flight. The hijacker wanted to force a crash into the Palácio do Planalto, the presidential workplace in Brasília. The pilot convinced the hijacker to divert to Goiânia, where an emergency landing was made. The hijack ended with one victim.[54][55]
- 18 August 2000: a Boeing 737-2A1 (registration PP-SMG) en route from Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba-Afonso Pena and on to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, Brasília, and São Luís was hijacked by five people with the purpose of robbing R$5 million (approximately US$2.75 million) that the aircraft was transporting. The pilot was forced to land at Porecatu, where the hijackers fled with the money. There were no casualties.[56][57]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 30 March 1985. "130". Retrieved 17 June 2009. "Edificio VASP, Aeroporto de Congonhas, CEP-04368, Sao Paulo, Brazil"
- ^ Instituto Histórico-Cultural da Aeronáutica (2014). História Geral da Aeronáutica Brasileira: de janeiro de 1956 a dezembro de 1966 da posse do Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira até as vésperas da Reforma Administrativa (in Portuguese). Vol. 5. Rio de Janeiro: INCAER. p. 474.
- ^ Saconi, Rose (2 April 2013). "Como era São Paulo sem o aeroporto de Congonhas" (in Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo (acervo). Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Beting, Gianfranco; Beting, Joelmir (2009). Varig: Eterna Pioneira (in Portuguese). Porto Alegre and São Paulo: EDIPUCRS and Beting Books. pp. 83–84. ISBN 978-85-7430-901-9.
- ^ "Fleet." (28 January 1999) VASP. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
- ^ "VASP fleet". aerobernie.bplaced.net. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Flight International 26 March 1970
- ^ "Vasp brand auction fails". Valor Econômico (in Portuguese). 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Vasp brand auction fails" (in Portuguese). TMA Brasil. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ^ "Boeing 737 da VASP é grafitado de vermelho e vira palco de música eletrônica em Minas". aeroin. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Garota mineira enche toda a lateral de um Boeing 737 com 175 mil figurinhas da Copa do Mundo". aeroin. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "eria um empresário homenageado Lula com um Boeing 737 personalizado?". aeroin. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPF". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Vizinhança perigosa". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928-1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 33–36. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPD". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Colisão com a Escola Naval". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 54–60. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPT". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPL". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPQ". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPM". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SQE". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Ponte aérea das doze horas". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 171–173. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SQV". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Falha de motor na decolagem". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 177–181. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SRG and FAB0742". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Pereira, Aldo (1987). Breve História da Aviação Comercial Brasileira (in Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro: Europa. pp. 205–206.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Reportagem derradeira". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 177–181. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SRA and PT-BRQ". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "No céu de Paraibuna". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 214–216. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SRR". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "A montanha trágica". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 243–248. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
- ^ "PP-SPR Accident Description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SPP". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Arremetida monomotor". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 262–266. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SMI". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "O Samurai desaparecido". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 274–278. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "PP-SQA Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SMJ". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "Dia do aviador". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 291–293. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SBE". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "O primeiro Bandeirante". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 294–301. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SMY". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SRK". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ Germano da Silva, Carlos Ari César (2008). "VASP 168". O rastro da bruxa: história da aviação comercial brasileira no século XX através dos seus acidentes 1928–1996 (in Portuguese) (2 ed.). Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS. pp. 318–326. ISBN 978-85-7430-760-2.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SME". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
- ^ "Accident description PP-SND". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ^ "Incident description Vasp April 25, 1970". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "Incident description Vasp May 14, 1970". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "Incident description PP-SMU". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "Incident description PP-SNT". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- ^ "Sangue no vôo 375" (in Portuguese). Abril: Veja. 5 October 1988. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- ^ "Incident description PP-SMG". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ Maschio, José (21 August 2000). "PF liga sequestro de avião da VASP à rebelião em penitenciária em Roraima" (in Portuguese). Folha Online. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
External links
[edit]- VASP accidents as per Aviation Safety Network
- Archive of VASP pages (in English) (1998–2000)
- Archive of VASP pages (in Portuguese)
- VASPEX (archive) (in Portuguese)
History
Founding and Early Operations (1933–1950s)
VASP, or Viação Aérea São Paulo, was established on 4 November 1933 by the state government of São Paulo to address the need for reliable air transport to the state's underdeveloped interior regions, where road and rail infrastructure was limited.[1] [4] As a publicly funded initiative, it aimed to connect São Paulo city with agricultural and commercial hubs, leveraging land-based aircraft to avoid reliance on coastal seaplane facilities prevalent among competitors.[4] Operations commenced on 12 November 1933 with the airline's inaugural revenue flight from São Paulo to Ribeirão Preto and onward to Uberaba, covering approximately 400 kilometers of interior terrain.[6] This service was powered by an initial fleet of two British General Aircraft Monospar ST-4 twin-engine monoplanes, each capable of carrying 6-8 passengers and suited for short, unpaved airstrips typical of the region.[1] [6] VASP's early schedule emphasized frequent, low-capacity flights to cities like Campinas, São José do Rio Preto, and Bauru, establishing it as the pioneer in regular interior air service within São Paulo state.[4] By prioritizing landplanes, the airline gained operational efficiency in non-coastal areas, though it faced challenges from rudimentary fields and variable weather.[4] In 1939, VASP expanded through the acquisition of Aerolloyd Iguassu, a smaller operator, which added routes into neighboring Paraná and Santa Catarina states along with two German Klemm Kl 31 light aircraft for feeder services.[1] [4] This move broadened its network beyond São Paulo's borders, incorporating southern Brazilian destinations and enhancing connectivity for passengers and mail.[1] During the 1940s, amid World War II restrictions on aviation fuel and parts, VASP maintained domestic focus, gradually introducing additional piston types like de Havilland Dragon Rapides for reliability on rugged routes.[7] By the 1950s, operations had grown to include trunk lines linking São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, with fleet modernization toward Douglas DC-3s enabling higher capacity and longer hauls, though the airline remained oriented toward state-subsidized regional dominance rather than international ventures.[8] State ownership ensured financial support, allowing VASP to absorb losses from low-density routes while building infrastructure like improved airstrips.[1]Expansion Under State Ownership (1960s–1980s)
Under the ongoing state ownership of the São Paulo government, VASP expanded significantly in the 1960s by acquiring Lóide Aéreo Nacional on January 7, 1962, which provided a nationwide operating license and added 14 Curtiss C-46s, eight Douglas DC-4s, and four DC-6s to the fleet, enabling broader domestic coverage.[6][9] This acquisition shifted VASP from a regional focus to national operations, incorporating routes and capacity from the merged entity. Fleet modernization drove further growth, with 10 Vickers Viscount 700 turboprops acquired in 1963 to extend services to the Northeast and Brasília, increasing route frequencies.[9] Jet operations began in 1967 with two BAC One-Eleven aircraft, VASP's first jets, followed by the Boeing 737-200 on April 21, 1969, with 23 units eventually obtained—the largest such fleet in Latin America at the time—and eight NAMC YS-11 turboprops supporting regional expansion to 32 cities by 1969.[6][9] These advancements replaced older aircraft and boosted efficiency on high-demand corridors. The 1970s and 1980s continued this trajectory, with 10 Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes added in 1973–1975 for regional connectivity and the 737-200 fleet peaking at 23 units by 1976.[9] Wide-body introduction came in November 1982 with the first of three Airbus A300B2s, which proved popular for major domestic routes and enhanced passenger capacity.[6] By 1984, the fleet included 20 Boeing 737s, six Boeing 727-200s, and three A300s, operating 41 routes across all 23 Brazilian states and two Amazon territories, carrying 85,000 passengers weekly despite emerging financial pressures from economic downturns.[10]Privatization and Ownership Shifts (1990s)
In 1990, amid Brazil's adoption of neoliberal economic policies aimed at reducing state involvement in enterprises, the government of São Paulo privatized VASP, which had been fully state-owned since its founding. On September 7, 1990, the state sold a 60 percent controlling stake in the airline to a consortium led by businessman Wagner Canhedo, marking the end of public ownership.[11] The acquisition, finalized around October 1990, involved Canhedo investing US$43 million of his personal funds alongside additional financing, with the buyer structured as the VOE/Canhedo Group in partnership with VASP employees.[12] This transaction positioned VASP as Brazil's first major airline privatization, reflecting broader deregulation in the aviation sector that included relaxed foreign investment rules and route competition.[13] Under Canhedo's leadership as president and primary owner, VASP experienced operational shifts focused on modernization and growth rather than further ownership changes during the decade. The airline pursued aggressive fleet expansion through leasing arrangements, adding aircraft to bolster domestic routes and initiate international services to destinations in Europe and South America.[14] By the mid-1990s, these efforts had increased VASP's market share, with Canhedo emphasizing restructuring to improve efficiency amid heightened competition from carriers like VARIG and TransBrasil.[1] No significant equity transfers or new controlling interests occurred in the 1990s, maintaining Canhedo's dominant position, though the carrier's strategy relied heavily on debt-financed acquisitions that sowed seeds for later financial vulnerabilities.[6]Financial Decline and Bankruptcy (2000–2005)
In the early 2000s, VASP confronted escalating financial distress, with accumulated debts exceeding $1.8 billion by May 2000 and reported losses of nearly $53 million in 1999 alone.[15] The airline's challenges intensified amid the 2001 economic recession, which reduced passenger demand across the sector and amplified VASP's pre-existing vulnerabilities from inefficient operations and prior privatization-related burdens.[16][17] Facing persistent mismanagement, soaring debt, and eroding market position against emerging low-cost competitors, VASP terminated its international services in 2002 to redirect resources toward domestic routes.[4] By mid-2004, acute liquidity shortages prompted mass layoffs of 380 employees—about 7% of the workforce—as the carrier teetered on the brink of insolvency.[18] On January 27, 2005, Brazil's Departamento de Aviação Civil (DAC) suspended VASP's air operator certificate and grounded its fleet over unpaid creditor obligations, safety compliance failures, and financial irregularities, marking the effective end of scheduled operations.[1] The grounding left 27 aircraft idle at various airports, stranding passengers and employees.[5] VASP then initiated judicial recovery under Brazil's newly enacted bankruptcy framework (Law 11.101/2005), seeking creditor protection while assets remained frozen pending restructuring attempts that ultimately failed to revive the carrier.[19][20]Operations
Passenger Services and Route Network
VASP's passenger services centered on scheduled domestic flights, with a focus on high-frequency short-haul operations from its primary hub at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport (CGH).[1] Early routes connected São Paulo to interior destinations, including the inaugural flight to Ribeirão Preto and Uberaba on November 12, 1933.[6] The network expanded with the São Paulo-Rio de Janeiro route in 1936, followed by extensions to Curitiba, Florianópolis, and Porto Alegre in 1939.[5] By the 1950s, services reached Brasília in 1955, Manaus, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, Natal, Cuiabá, and Campo Grande, with the network expanding to about 35 domestic cities by the 1970s.[6][5] A signature offering was the Ponte Aérea shuttle between São Paulo-CGH and Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, initiated on July 6, 1959, in partnership with Varig and Cruzeiro do Sul.[4] This service provided up to 15 daily flights using aircraft such as Convair 340s and Saab 90 Scandias, emphasizing convenience for business travelers on Brazil's busiest air corridor.[5][4] International passenger routes emerged post-privatization in 1990, with initial scheduled services to Miami in 1993 using McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft.[6] Long-haul expansions included Los Angeles in 1994, followed by New York and Toronto in 1995, and European destinations such as Porto, Lisbon, and Paris in 1996.[5] Regional international routes, such as to Buenos Aires, continued until around 2001, with long-haul overseas operations halting by 2002 amid financial strain.[6] By suspension in January 2005, the route network reverted to domestic flights from São Paulo hubs, including CGH and Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).[1][4]Cargo Operations via VASPEX
VASPEX, a cargo-focused subsidiary of Viação Aérea São Paulo (VASP), was established in 1996 to handle the parent company's freight transport needs amid expanding domestic air cargo demand in Brazil.[6] This division enabled VASP to dedicate converted aircraft to cargo services, separating them from declining passenger operations and leveraging narrow-body jets for efficient short- to medium-haul shipments.[9] The VASPEX fleet emphasized converted passenger airliners adapted for freight, including four Boeing 737-200F models—marking VASP as the first Brazilian carrier to deploy Boeing 737 freighters—and two Boeing 727-200F aircraft for mainline cargo routes.[9] [6] A single McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F widebody freighter was briefly operated in the late 1990s to test longer-haul capabilities, though it was retired shortly after due to maintenance costs and limited utilization.[6] These aircraft supported time-sensitive cargo such as perishables, electronics, and industrial goods, primarily on intra-Brazilian routes connecting São Paulo's Congonhas and Guarulhos airports to regional hubs like Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Porto Alegre.[9] In October 2000, as VASP suspended its remaining international passenger services and faced acute liquidity shortages, the airline initiated plans to spin off VASPEX as an independent, publicly traded entity to generate cash and isolate cargo assets from passenger liabilities.[21] Projections estimated VASPEX could achieve $130 million in annual sales through dedicated freight networks, potentially attracting investors interested in Brazil's underserved air cargo market.[21] However, escalating debts, failed restructuring efforts, and regulatory hurdles prevented the divestiture, leaving VASPEX integrated with VASP's deteriorating finances.[6] VASPEX operations persisted on a reduced scale until January 2005, when VASP's bankruptcy grounded the entire group, including cargo services; remaining aircraft, such as Boeing 727 PP-SFG, were stored or scrapped post-closure.[6] The division's short lifespan highlighted challenges in Brazil's aviation sector, including high fuel costs, competition from road transport, and VASP's mismanagement, which undermined potential for sustainable cargo growth despite initial fleet innovations.[21]Fleet
Fleet Development and Acquisitions
![VASP Boeing 737-200][float-right] VASP initiated its fleet with two British General Aircraft Monospar ST-4 aircraft in 1933, serving interior São Paulo routes such as São Paulo to Ribeirão Preto and Uberaba.[9][1] In 1934, the airline added a De Havilland DH-84 Dragon for expanded regional operations. By 1936, two Junkers Ju 52/3m trimotors were acquired, enabling the inauguration of the Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo route, with the fleet growing to seven Ju 52s by 1944.[9] Post-World War II modernization began in 1946 with the introduction of four Douglas DC-3s, which expanded to 29 units by 1953, largely replacing the older Junkers aircraft. In 1950, VASP acquired three Saab 90 Scandias, increasing to 18 by 1959 for short-haul services. The shift to turboprops occurred in 1958 with four Vickers Viscount 800s, followed by ten Viscount 700s in 1963, marking a significant upgrade in capacity and speed for domestic trunk routes.[9] A pivotal expansion came in 1962 through the merger with Lóide Aéreo Nacional, incorporating 14 Curtiss C-46 Commandos, eight Douglas DC-4s, and four DC-6s, which bolstered cargo and longer domestic capabilities. VASP pioneered jet operations in Brazil with five Boeing 737-200s in 1969, peaking at 23 units by 1976—the largest 737 fleet in Latin America at the time—and eventually totaling 44 by cessation. In 1973, ten Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirantes were added for regional feeder services until 1976. Boeing 727-200s entered service in 1977, reaching 14 units for medium-haul routes.[9][6] Widebody acquisitions in the 1980s and 1990s supported international ambitions: three Airbus A300B2s in 1982 for European and South American flights, followed by ten McDonnell Douglas MD-11s in 1992 for transatlantic operations until 1999. Post-privatization in 1990, short-term leases included three Boeing 737-400s, three DC-8-71Fs, and four DC-10-30s in 1991, reflecting aggressive but debt-laden expansion. By late 1999, the fleet comprised three A300s, 28 Boeing 737-200s, seven 737-300s, and eight MD-11s, underscoring a reliance on aging narrowbodies amid financial strain.[9][1]Fleet Composition in Key Periods
In the founding and early operations period from 1933 to the 1950s, VASP's fleet consisted primarily of small propeller aircraft suited for regional routes within São Paulo state. It began operations on November 12, 1933, with two British General Aircraft Monospar ST-4 (also designated 6AL/MKII) for interior flights.[1][6] By 1934, one de Havilland DH.84 Dragon was added, followed by two Junkers Ju 52/3m trimotors in 1936, which supported expansion until World War II restrictions. During the war, VASP acquired 27 Douglas DC-3s, which replaced earlier types and formed the backbone of the fleet for postwar regional and shuttle services. From 1950 to 1958, 18 Saab 90 Scandias operated on high-frequency routes like the Rio-São Paulo air bridge, alongside Convair 340s introduced in 1959. By 1955, VASP had incorporated 15 Vickers Viscounts (10 Series 700 and 5 Series 800), marking its shift to pressurized turboprops for improved capacity and speed on domestic networks.[6][1] During the expansion under state ownership from the 1960s to the 1980s, VASP modernized with jets and larger propellers, growing its fleet to support national and some international routes. In 1962, acquisitions from Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano added Curtiss C-46 Commandos, Douglas DC-4s, and DC-6s for cargo and passenger augmentation. The NAMC YS-11 turboprop entered service in the 1960s for regional operations, while 1967 saw the introduction of two BAC One-Eleven Series 400 jets as VASP's first pure jets. The pivotal acquisition was 23 Boeing 737-200s starting April 21, 1969, making VASP the first Brazilian operator of the type and shifting focus to efficient narrow-body jets for domestic trunk routes; these eventually numbered 41 in total historic operations. By the 1980s, Boeing 737-300s (26 total) were added as Brazil's inaugural operator in 1986, alongside three Airbus A300B2 widebodies from 1982 for longer domestic and regional international flights, and Lockheed L-188 Electras from 1975 to 1992 for shuttle services.[6][2][22] Post-privatization in the 1990s, VASP aggressively expanded its fleet to nearly 60 aircraft, emphasizing leased widebodies and advanced narrowbodies for international ambitions, though financial strains led to rapid divestitures. It doubled down on Boeing 737-300s and added three 737-400s, four Douglas DC-8s, and seven DC-10-30s for cargo-passenger flexibility. Between 1994 and 1996, up to 12 McDonnell Douglas MD-11s (10 total historic) were leased for long-haul routes to Europe and the U.S., representing VASP's peak widebody commitment. However, by 1993, economic pressures forced returns of 14 Boeing 737-300s, all 737-400s, DC-8s, and DC-10-30s due to leasing disputes, followed by all MD-11s in 1999 amid Brazil's currency devaluation. A single de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter was also operated briefly for niche regional needs.[6][2] In the financial decline from 2000 to 2005, VASP relied on an owned, aging fleet of Boeing 737-200s, avoiding leases to cut costs, but maintenance issues eroded operability. By 2001, the fleet comprised primarily these obsolete 737-200s, with 14 aircraft still flying by early 2005 before ceasing operations on January 27, 2005; eight were grounded in 2004 for overdue maintenance. This downsized composition reflected mismanagement and inability to modernize, contributing to bankruptcy.[6][2]| Period | Key Aircraft Types | Approximate Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933–1950s | Monospar ST-4, DH.84, Ju 52, DC-3 (27), Saab Scandia (18), Convair 340, Viscount 700/800 (15) | Small fleet scaling to ~50 propellers | Regional focus; DC-3s wartime staple.[6][1] |
| 1960s–1980s | YS-11, BAC One-Eleven (2), Boeing 737-200 (41 total), 737-300 (26), A300B2 (3), L-188 Electra | ~50–70 mixed jets/propellers | Jet transition; 737-200 as workhorse.[6][2] |
| 1990s | Boeing 737-300/400, DC-8 (4), DC-10-30 (7), MD-11 (10) | Peaked at ~60, then contracted | Leasing-heavy expansion then returns.[6][2] |
| 2000–2005 | Boeing 737-200 | 14 operational | Aging owned assets; no modernization.[6] |
Safety and Incidents
Fatal Accidents
VASP experienced several fatal accidents throughout its operations, resulting in significant loss of life. The most deadly occurred on June 8, 1982, when Flight 168, a Boeing 727-212 registered PP-SRK, impacted a mountainside during approach to Fortaleza-Pinto Martins Airport, killing all 137 occupants; the investigation attributed the controlled flight into terrain to pilot error in navigation and failure to monitor altitude adequately.[23] Earlier incidents included a mid-air collision on December 22, 1959, involving a Vickers 827 Viscount registered PP-SRG approaching Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport, which collided with a Brazilian Air Force T-21 trainer; all 32 onboard the Viscount perished, along with at least seven people on the ground when the aircraft struck residential buildings in the Ramos district. The cause was determined to be failure of both aircraft to see and avoid each other during approach.[24] On February 27, 1975, VASP Flight 640, an Embraer EMB-110C Bandeirante registered PP-SBE, crashed shortly after takeoff from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport due to loss of power in the No. 2 engine and subsequent loss of control, resulting in the deaths of all 15 occupants.[25] VASP Flight 210, a Boeing 737-2A1 registered PP-SME, suffered a fatal overrun on January 28, 1986, at São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport; in dense fog, the crew mistakenly attempted takeoff from a taxiway, leading to an aborted departure, collision with an embankment, and the aircraft breaking apart, with one passenger killed among the 72 onboard.[26] The airline's final fatal accident was on June 22, 1992, involving a Boeing 737-2A1C registered PP-SND on a cargo flight to Cruzeiro do Sul Airport; distraction from intermittent cargo compartment fire warnings during descent caused loss of control and the crash, killing all three crew members.| Date | Aircraft | Fatalities | Location | Primary Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 22, 1959 | Vickers 827 Viscount PP-SRG | 32 onboard + 7 ground | Near Rio de Janeiro-Galeão | Mid-air collision due to see-and-avoid failure |
| February 27, 1975 | Embraer EMB-110C Bandeirante PP-SBE | 15 | São Paulo-Congonhas | Engine failure and loss of control post-takeoff |
| June 8, 1982 | Boeing 727-212 PP-SRK | 137 | Near Fortaleza | Controlled flight into terrain (pilot error) |
| January 28, 1986 | Boeing 737-2A1 PP-SME | 1 | São Paulo-Guarulhos | Takeoff from taxiway in fog, overrun[26] |
| June 22, 1992 | Boeing 737-2A1C PP-SND | 3 | Near Cruzeiro do Sul | Loss of control due to distraction from fire warning |
