Varig History: Brazil's Star Airline, 1927–2006 – Airline Employee Shop

Varig History

Varig began in 1927 with a single flying boat in southern Brazil, grew into the country's leading international airline, and collapsed in 2006 after years of debt. Here's a short history of Varig, plus the Varig collection that celebrates it.

Porto Alegre beginnings (1927–1945)

Otto Ernst Meyer, a German First World War aviator who had moved to Brazil, founded Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense, or Varig, in Porto Alegre on May 7, 1927. Operations began on June 22, 1927, with the Dornier Wal flying boat "Atlântico," flying from Porto Alegre to Rio Grande via Pelotas. In 1943 Ruben Berta, the company's first employee, became its manager-director, a post he held until his death in 1966.

Employee ownership and jets (1945–1965)

In 1945 Berta proposed handing half of Varig's shares to an employee foundation, which later took his name, the Ruben Berta Foundation. Varig began flying Caravelle jets to New York on December 19, 1959, and replaced them with Boeing 707s in July 1960. In 1961 it took over the REAL consortium, and its tail emblem changed to the compass rose, the "star" that became Varig's symbol.

Brazil's flag in the sky (1965–1990s)

When the military government shut down Panair do Brasil in February 1965, Varig inherited its routes to Europe. In 1975 it bought control of Cruzeiro do Sul. Varig led Latin American airlines in kilometers flown and joined Star Alliance on October 22, 1997, as its sixth member.

Decline and the end (2005–2007)

Debt piled up through the 1990s. Varig sought judicial reorganization in June 2005. On July 20, 2006, the original company stopped flying after its operating business was sold. In April 2007 Brazilian airline GOL completed its purchase of the "new" Varig, and the old company was declared bankrupt in 2010.

A few things collectors love

  • The first aircraft, the Dornier Wal "Atlântico," registered P-BAAA.
  • The compass rose star, adopted in 1961 and later redrawn in gold in 1996.
  • Employee ownership. By 1992 about 80 percent of Varig's stock was held by employees through the foundation.

Shop Varig

Browse Varig logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Varig collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for anyone who remembers the star of Brazil.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest.