Varig chiude CDG, MAD (e quindi l'Europa)

[landingFCO]

Un paio di mesi fa il primo comunicato in cui si annunciava la chiusura entro marzo di LHR (attivo solo da dicembre 2007), FCO (da sett 2007 via CDG) e FRA (unico rotta in Europa che ha goduto di una certa continuità anche nei periodi più bui della compagnia) per concentrarsi su CDG e MAD quali snodi di transito per il mercato europeo grazie a nuovi accordi interlining con IB,UX, AF...
Oggi si apprende che verranno chiuse anche MAD (il 12 maggio), CDG (il 9 giugno) e quindi usciranno completamente dal mercato europeo. Inoltre cesseranno i voli a MEX dal prossimo 11 maggio e di fatto lasceranno così scoperti mercati storici e consolidati della vecchia Varig quali appunto Nord America e Europa.
Purtroppo un'esperienza fallimentare unica quello della nuova Varig controllata da GOL.



São Paulo, April 10, 2008 – GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa:
GOLL4), the parent company of Brazilian airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. and VRG Linhas
Aéreas S.A., announces VRG is restructuring its international routes, focusing on better adapting to
market conditions, increasing its presence in the domestic and South American markets and
concentrating efforts on routes where it maintains competitive advantages. The repositioning of
VRG’s international route network is based on the actions necessary to maintain the Company’s
continued success and sustainability.
Operating costs in the highly competitive international market have increased substantially with
persistent increases in oil prices, which recently hit a record high of US$ 112 per barrel. The cost of
fuel has been impacted by the prices of WTI and Gulf Coast Jet, which increased on average 68 and
61 percent, respectively, in 1Q08 compared to 1Q07. Fuel currently represents nearly 40 percent of
VRG’s operating costs.
Recognizing that aircraft with low operating costs are essential in the current environment, VRG
remains committed to its fleet renewal plan. By the end of 2008, the fleet will be comprised of 29
Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. These airplanes have lower operational costs, are more fuel
efficient, and offer higher productivity rates. These new aircraft will allow VRG to increase
competitiveness, offering benefits for both the Company and VRG’s passengers, as new aircraft
provide greater passenger comfort. VRG’s Boeing 737 aircraft are designed to offer more legroom
than any other Brazilian airline.
In addition to increased comfort, onboard service tailored to the length of each flight, VIP lounges in
the Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro (Galeão) and São Paulo (Guarulhos) airports, and the
SMILES program (the largest mileage program in Latin America), VRG offers a unique product in the
Brazilian commercial aviation industry. “These measures and operational changes will improve the
performance of the Company, which is fundamental for the evolution of the business,” says
Constantino de Oliveira Júnior, president of GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes. “Our team remains
committed to offering the best air transportation service in the market.”
The Company’s focus is to expand its route network in Brazil and South America by maintaining a
lean cost structure and increasing revenues. An important step in this plan was taken in March, with
the introduction VRG’s new domestic flight network. The changes were designed to expand the
Company’s presence in high traffic business travel markets by improving connectivity and distribution
for various domestic destinations. After several changes to the international route network to focus on
South American destinations, VRG will continue to offer daily flights to Bogota, Buenos Aires,
Caracas and Santiago.
The Company would like to underscore that VRG employees will not be affected by these network
changes and that it will continue to give former VARIG employees priority in the selection processes
for new hires as operations refocus and expand.
The Company believes that current and future investments in VRG will lead to improved efficiency
and profitability. Resources have already been allocated to information technology, premium
passenger services and expansion of VRG’s route network through interline agreements with other
airlines. VRG’s goal is to focus on existing interline agreements, particularly those with international
airlines offering service to and from Brazil.
To this end, VRG will suspend flights to several international destinations over the next two months.
Flights to Mexico City will be suspended on May 11, flights to Madrid on May 12 and operations to
Paris will cease on June 9. This strategic decision was a responsible and calculated response based
on careful analysis of external factors and competitive attributes of the services offered by VRG that
are affecting consolidation of the Company’s performance in these markets.
VRG is committed to providing assistance to those customers who have already purchased one-way
or return tickets to suspended destinations after the dates announced and will maintain open,
transparent communications to address any customer concerns. Alternative flight information will be
available on the Company’s website, www.varig.com.br. VRG has also created a toll-free number for
customers with questions: 0800-728-7787. The service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Customers who prefer a refund should work directly with their travel agent, while customers
who purchased tickets directly from VRG can request a refund by e-mail:
reembolso.central@varig.com.
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. would like to reaffirm that the acquisition of VRG made it
possible for the group to expand its operating capacity in addition to creating new routes and offering
service to new destinations. The acquisition also allowed the VARIG brand to continue operating
under Brazilian administrative control and focused on strategic objectives, with an outlook of growth
and job creation, while maintaining the social functions of the Company, its competitiveness and
strong brand both in Brazil and globally. “That the acquisition of VRG occurred in a difficult year for
the airline industry shows that we are ready and prepared to deal with adversity, without allowing
obstacles to derail our strategic plan of long-term growth,” concludes de Oliveira Júnior.

Link:
http://www.mz-ir.com/gol/2006/web/ar...080410_eng.pdf

[landingFCO]

Un'altra compagnia in zona che non è messa molto bene e sta attraversando periodi molto difficili è Aerolineas Argentinas

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo....main/3929877/

[Steman]

Sarebbe un peccato veder sparire anche Aerolineas Argentinas.
Varig temo sia destinata alla chiusura definitiva o all´assorbimento completo in GOL. Se non restano piu´ voli di lungo raggio che senso avrebbe avere due compagnie di voli domestici e continentali in un solo gruppo?

A proposito di sparizioni brasiliane. Ma che fine ha fatto Zarco?

[landingFCO]

Sarebbe un peccato veder sparire anche Aerolineas Argentinas.

Ieri strano ma vero sono pure partiti puntuali da FCO, cosa sempre molto poco probabile quando si parla di AR

AR 01141 BUENOS AIRES 20:10 20:10 C PARTITO

Varig temo sia destinata alla chiusura definitiva o all´assorbimento completo in GOL. Se non restano piu´ voli di lungo raggio che senso avrebbe avere due compagnie di voli domestici e continentali in un solo gruppo?

Infatti a questo punto una fusione completa in GOL sarebbe la soluzione auspicabile.

A proposito di sparizioni brasiliane. Ma che fine ha fatto Zarco?

bella domanda

[I-DISE]

Mi chiedo che ci faranno col povero I-DEIB



Un nuovo ristorante nel centro di Rio?

[marcogiov]

Lo restituiranno al lessor?