"VARIG", S.A. (VIACAO AEREA RIO-GRANDENSE)

VARIG (Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense), the first commercial airline of Brazil, was founded on May 7, 1927. It became the largest airline in Latin America, operating the largest and most complete network of routes in Brazil, with service to 110 cities, and direct service to 27 destinations in 18 countries on four continents. The company carried over 210 million passengers in its 75+ years of existence. In the late 20th century its route network covered the five continents of South America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. After losing its monopoly in 1991, Varig encountered financial difficulties, and in 2005 it filed for bankruptcy. The following year Varig was bought by an investment group that also owned VarigLog, a cargo business that was a former subsidiary of the airliner.