Panair do Brasil
Encyclopedia
Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil
. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.
(New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line), forerunner of Pan American. Both airlines were established by Ralph Ambrose O'Neill
for the transportation of post and passengers using seaplane
s between the United States
, Brazil
and Argentina
, flying over the east coast of the continent.
NYRBA do Brasil came as an American competitive response to a service that had been provided by Germans since 1927. Starting that year, Condor Syndikat
and later its successor Deutsche Luft Hansa
explored the Brazilian market by establishing the subsidiary Syndicato Condor, and the Brazilian airline Varig
.
Initially, O'Neill tried to purchase ETA – Empresa de Transporte Aéreo, a Brazilian airline which claimed to have exclusive concessions to fly within Brazil. The legality of the sale and purchase contract was questioned and the operation was aborted. O'Neill decided then to create his own Brazilian subsidiary, which would operate in partnership with NYRBA.
At that time, if a foreign airline wanted to operate in Brazilian territory, it was required to create a subsidiary. This allowed a fair competition between national and foreign carriers. Advised by politicians, O'Neill established NYRBA do Brasil. The creation of this subsidiary was authorized on October 15, 1929 and on January 24, 1930 its operations were authorized in all Brazilian territory, with extensions to Uruguay
, Argentina
, and the Guianas
, pending on bi-lateral agreements. The first flight took-off from the Calabouço Airport (which in 1936 would be officially named Santos Dumont Airport) in Rio de Janeiro
to Buenos Aires
with intermediate stops on December 23, 1929, and in January 1930 it started flying between Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza
with intermediate stops in Campos dos Goytacazes
, Vitória, Caravelas
, Ilhéus
, Salvador
, Aracaju
, Maceió
, Recife
and Natal
. The first successful cargo operation between Buenos Aires and Miami, a joint-venture with NYRBA, took place between February 19 and 25, 1930. In this operation, 8 different seaplanes were used.
On April 30, 1930 NYRBA was sold to Pan American
and, as a consequence, on November 21, 1930 the new owner of the subsidiary renamed NYRBA do Brasil as Panair do Brasil.
Starting on 1933, Panair do Brasil, competing with Syndicato Condor established services to the interior of Brazil. Panair specialized itself in water-landing operations in the Amazon basin, whereas Condor invested in land operations using the route of Mato Grosso.
On 1937 Panair opened its own dedicated headquarters at Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, a project inspired on the Pan American Seaplane Base and Terminal Building, in Miami, including not only passenger operations but also offices and hangars. It remained its headquarters until it was forced to cease its operations in 1965. Presently it houses the Third Regional Air Command of the Brazilian Air Force
.
On October 1937 Panair received its first land planes, a Lockheed Model 10 Electra and started operations not restricted by water-landing. It was used on services to Belo Horizonte, locations in the state of Minas Gerais reaching later Goiânia and to São Paulo. New domestic services were continually opened to the point that in the 1940s, the airline had one of the most extensive domestic networks in the world, covering most of Brazil via the coast and inland, and the Amazon region.
As World War II ecloded, Panair gained a clear advantage in relation to its fiercest competitor, Syndicato Condor, controlled by German capital. Furthermore, since the newly created Ministry of Air Force did not have the capacity or technique to build and maintain air fields, by the Federal Decree-Law 3.462 of June 25, 1941, Panair was authorized to build, enhance and maintain the airports of Macapá
, Belém
, São Luís
, Fortaleza
, Natal
, Recife, Maceió
, and Salvador
, which remain operational to the present day. They had crucial strategic importance in the defense of the South Atlantic and in the transportation logistics between Brazil and West Africa. The authorization lasted for 20 years.
NYRBA do Brasil/Panair do Brasil remained under full control of NYRBA/Pan American until 1942, when the latter sold a big portion of shares to Brazilian capital. On December 7, 1943 the participation of Pan American was further reduced to 58%. That same year Panair was authorized to fly to all South American countries.
Panair also innovated by starting on September 2, 1943 the first over-night service in Brazil: Rio/Belém with intermediate stops.
In March 1946 Panair received its first Lockheed 049 Constellation
, being the first airline outside the United States to operate this aircraft. The first flight took-off on April 27, 1946 from Rio de Janeiro to Recife, Dakar, Lisbon, Paris and London. Panair was also the first international airline to land on the then newly-inaugurated London Heathrow Airport
.
As Panair received further equipment flights to Madrid and Rome were inaugurated. In 1947 services were extended to Cairo and Istanbul, and in 1948 to Zurich and Frankfurt. The same year, services to Montevideo and Buenos Aires began. Santiago de Chile, Lima and Beirut were added in 1950 and Hamburg and Düsseldorf in 1954.
The airline gradually set a high standard for its customer services and for many years in Brazil the expression padrão Panair (Panair standard) was a synonym of excellence in aviation. In fact, the excellence was so well known at the time that years later its DC-8-33 appeared in a handful of movies, including the Italian-French co-production, Copacabana Palace (1962), as well as the French productions La Peau Douce (1964), and L'homme de Rio (1964).
In 1953 Panair placed an order for 4 de Havilland Comet 2
with an option for further 2 Comet 3. Panair was the second airline to place an order to such aircraft, only behind BOAC. Those orders were canceled in 1954 due to flaws on the plane's original design.
In 1955 the unused funds of the Comet order were used to purchase 4 Douglas DC-7C
, at that time the ideal aircraft for long-haul operations. The first arrived in 1957. In 1961 Panair purchased 4 Sud Aviation Caravelle
, which entered into service in 1962, operating on domestic trunk routes.
In terms of agreements, between 1956 and 1958 Panair and Lóide Aéreo Nacional
maintained an agreement to avoid harmful competition, in which the Brazilian territory was divided into areas of influence. The agreement also included leasing of aircraft. Between November 30, 1960 and 1965 Panair operated with TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
the Voo da amizade
(Friendship Flight), between São Paulo-Congonhas, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and Lisbon, with stops in Recife and Sal, using a dedicated Douglas DC-7C aircraft bearing the names of both airlines, TAP flight numbers and crew of the two airlines. Only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal could purchase tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares.
In 1961 Panair started operating the Douglas DC-8-33
to Europe. However, in spite of its excellent service, Panair faced increasing competition from other foreign state-run airlines. Addressing the situation, Panair formed an operational pool with Aerolíneas Argentinas
, Alitalia
, and Lufthansa
.
Panair do Brasil was forced to cease operations abruptly on February 10, 1965, when the Brazilian military government, which seized power the year before, suspended its operational certification and allotted its international route concessions to Varig
and domestic to Cruzeiro do Sul
. In fact, that very night, the Douglas DC-8-33
scheduled to operate flight PB22, departing at 10:30 PM from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Recife, Lisbon, Paris-Orly and Frankfurt
was immediately replaced by a Varig Boeing 707
. There were no flight cancellations. The operation also involved the transfer of 3 of its Caravelles and 3 of its Catalinas to Cruzeiro do Sul
, and 2 of its DC-8-33 to Varig
. It is known today that Varig and Cruzeiro were aware of the government imminent decision the same morning and had some hours to prepare themselves.
The sudden closure of Panair shock the country since its financial problems were not serious enough for the actions taken by the government. They were originated in other political factors, such as persecution of the military government to the bankers Celso da Rocha Miranda and Mário Wallace Simonsen
, owners of Panair, a dispute between bankers to whom both Panair and Varig owed money, and the will of the military government to favor Varig.
On February 16, 1965 Panair was forced to declare bankruptcy because a debt of USD 62 million.
On August 27, 2009, with a 44-year delay, the Air Command of the Brazilian Ministry of Defence revoked Panair's route and schedule concessions, which are madatory for airline operations.
Former employees of Panair do Brasil, their families and friends attend an annual reunion on the week of October 22, the airline's birthday, in Rio de Janeiro. This tradition has been religiously preserved since 1966 and there is a movement to include it in the Guinness World Records
.
In 2008 the documentary Panair do Brasil was released. The film, directed by Marco Altberg and screenwritten by Daniel Sasaki summarises the history of the airline.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.
NYRBA do Brasil (1929-1930)
Panair do Brasil began operations on October 22, 1929, as NYRBA do Brasil S.A., a Brazilian subsidiary of NYRBA, Inc.New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line
New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line was an airline that operated seaplane service from New York City to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and intermediate points on the east coast of South America during the 1920s. It was forced to merge into its competitor, Pan American World Airways, in 1930.NYRBA...
(New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line), forerunner of Pan American. Both airlines were established by Ralph Ambrose O'Neill
Ralph Ambrose O'Neill
Ralph Ambrose O'Neill was a flying ace from World War I credited with five aerial victories.He entered the United States Air Service in August 1917. In March 1918, he was assigned to the 147th Aero Squadron, flying the Nieuport 28 and the SPAD S.XIII...
for the transportation of post and passengers using seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
s between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, flying over the east coast of the continent.
NYRBA do Brasil came as an American competitive response to a service that had been provided by Germans since 1927. Starting that year, Condor Syndikat
Condor Syndikat
Condor Syndikat was a German trade company, with headquarters in Berlin, that operated airline services in Brazil while also providing aircraft, maintenance and aviation information. It is also the mother company of the Brazilian airlines Varig and Syndicato Condor, which later became Serviços...
and later its successor Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa
Deutsche Luft Hansa A.G. was a German airline, serving as flag carrier of the country during the later years of the Weimar Republic and throughout the Third Reich.-1920s:Deutsche Luft Hansa was founded on 6 January 1926 in Berlin...
explored the Brazilian market by establishing the subsidiary Syndicato Condor, and the Brazilian airline Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
.
Initially, O'Neill tried to purchase ETA – Empresa de Transporte Aéreo, a Brazilian airline which claimed to have exclusive concessions to fly within Brazil. The legality of the sale and purchase contract was questioned and the operation was aborted. O'Neill decided then to create his own Brazilian subsidiary, which would operate in partnership with NYRBA.
At that time, if a foreign airline wanted to operate in Brazilian territory, it was required to create a subsidiary. This allowed a fair competition between national and foreign carriers. Advised by politicians, O'Neill established NYRBA do Brasil. The creation of this subsidiary was authorized on October 15, 1929 and on January 24, 1930 its operations were authorized in all Brazilian territory, with extensions to Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and the Guianas
The Guianas
The Guyanas or the Guianas refers to a region in north-eastern South America which includes the following three territories:* French Guiana, an overseas department of France;...
, pending on bi-lateral agreements. The first flight took-off from the Calabouço Airport (which in 1936 would be officially named Santos Dumont Airport) in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
with intermediate stops on December 23, 1929, and in January 1930 it started flying between Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza
Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.5 million , Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of and one of the highest demographic densities in the country...
with intermediate stops in Campos dos Goytacazes
Campos dos Goytacazes
Campos dos Goytacazes is a municipality and city located in the northern area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with a population of 463,545 inhabitants. Its area is 4,031.910 km², which makes it the largest municipality in the state and its elevation is 14 m...
, Vitória, Caravelas
Caravelas
Caravelas is a fishing village of about 20,000 inhabitants in southern Bahia, Brazil, a few miles above the mouth of the Caravelas River.It was founded in 1581 by Portuguese settlers. Caravelas was once the centre of a flourishing whale fishery. It is the port of the Bahia & Minas railway....
, Ilhéus
Ilhéus
Ilhéus is a major city located in the southern coastal region of Bahia, Brazil, 430 km south of Salvador, the state's capital. The city was originally founded in 1534 as Vila de São Jorge dos Ilhéus and is known as one of the most important tourism centers of the northeast of Brazil.The...
, Salvador
Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first...
, Aracaju
Aracaju
-Vegetation:Aracaju lies in tropical forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, with minimum normal annual rainfall between 2,000 mm and 1,700 mm...
, Maceió
Maceió
Maceió is the capital and the largest city of the coastal state Alagoas, Brazil. The name "maceió" is of Indian origin, and designates the natural spontaneously courses of water which flow out of the soil...
, Recife
Recife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
and Natal
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
-History:The northeastern tip of South America, Cabo São Roque, to the north of Natal and the closest point to Europe from Latin America, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501–1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day...
. The first successful cargo operation between Buenos Aires and Miami, a joint-venture with NYRBA, took place between February 19 and 25, 1930. In this operation, 8 different seaplanes were used.
On April 30, 1930 NYRBA was sold to Pan American
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
and, as a consequence, on November 21, 1930 the new owner of the subsidiary renamed NYRBA do Brasil as Panair do Brasil.
Domestic and Regional Expansion (1930-1945)
Regular passenger services began on March 2, 1931 with a flight between Belém and Rio de Janeiro, a journey that took 5 days. This service was later extended to Buenos Aires and the operations enhanced to the point that it took the same 5 days, with overnight stops in Fortaleza, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.Starting on 1933, Panair do Brasil, competing with Syndicato Condor established services to the interior of Brazil. Panair specialized itself in water-landing operations in the Amazon basin, whereas Condor invested in land operations using the route of Mato Grosso.
On 1937 Panair opened its own dedicated headquarters at Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, a project inspired on the Pan American Seaplane Base and Terminal Building, in Miami, including not only passenger operations but also offices and hangars. It remained its headquarters until it was forced to cease its operations in 1965. Presently it houses the Third Regional Air Command of the Brazilian Air Force
Brazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
.
On October 1937 Panair received its first land planes, a Lockheed Model 10 Electra and started operations not restricted by water-landing. It was used on services to Belo Horizonte, locations in the state of Minas Gerais reaching later Goiânia and to São Paulo. New domestic services were continually opened to the point that in the 1940s, the airline had one of the most extensive domestic networks in the world, covering most of Brazil via the coast and inland, and the Amazon region.
As World War II ecloded, Panair gained a clear advantage in relation to its fiercest competitor, Syndicato Condor, controlled by German capital. Furthermore, since the newly created Ministry of Air Force did not have the capacity or technique to build and maintain air fields, by the Federal Decree-Law 3.462 of June 25, 1941, Panair was authorized to build, enhance and maintain the airports of Macapá
Macapá International Airport
Macapá-Alberto Alcolumbre International Airport is the airport serving Macapá, Brazil. Since April 22, 2009 the airport is named after Alberto Alcolumbre, a local businessman.It is operated by Infraero.-History:The airport was opened in 1970....
, Belém
Val de Cães International Airport
Belém-Val de Cães/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport is the main airport serving Belém, Brazil. Val de Cães, the name of the neighborhood where the airport is located, is the most common spelling although Val de Cans is also considered correct...
, São Luís
Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport
Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport , formerly called Tirirical Airport, is the airport serving São Luís, Brazil. Since October 17, 1985 the airport is named after Marechal Cunha Machado.It is operated by Infraero.-History:...
, Fortaleza
Pinto Martins International Airport
Pinto Martins International Airport is the airport serving Fortaleza, Brazil. It is named after Euclides Pinto Martins a Ceará-born aviator, who in 1922 was one of the pioneers of the air-link between New York and Rio de Janeiro....
, Natal
Augusto Severo International Airport
Augusto Severo International Airport , formerly called Parnamirim Airport, is the airport serving Natal, Brazil, located in the adjoining municipality of Parnamirim...
, Recife, Maceió
Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport
Maceió-Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport , formerly called Campo dos Palmares Airport, is the airport serving Maceió, Brazil. Since December 16, 1999 the airport is named after Zumbi dos Palmares a leader and hero who fought for the freedom of slaves.It is operated by Infraero.-History:The...
, and Salvador
Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport
Salvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport , formerly called Dois de Julho International Airport is the airport serving Salvador da Bahia, Brazil...
, which remain operational to the present day. They had crucial strategic importance in the defense of the South Atlantic and in the transportation logistics between Brazil and West Africa. The authorization lasted for 20 years.
NYRBA do Brasil/Panair do Brasil remained under full control of NYRBA/Pan American until 1942, when the latter sold a big portion of shares to Brazilian capital. On December 7, 1943 the participation of Pan American was further reduced to 58%. That same year Panair was authorized to fly to all South American countries.
Panair also innovated by starting on September 2, 1943 the first over-night service in Brazil: Rio/Belém with intermediate stops.
Intercontinental Expansion (1945-1965)
Shortly after the end of World War II, Panair seized the opportunity to grow further. On 1946, the majority of its shares - 52% - was in the hands of Brazilian nationals and thus satisfied one of the preconditions to operate abroad. The last lot of shares in the hands of Pan Am was sold in 1961. As such the Brazilian government granted to Panair the concession to operate services to Europe, being the only Brazilian airline with such a concession.In March 1946 Panair received its first Lockheed 049 Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
, being the first airline outside the United States to operate this aircraft. The first flight took-off on April 27, 1946 from Rio de Janeiro to Recife, Dakar, Lisbon, Paris and London. Panair was also the first international airline to land on the then newly-inaugurated London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
.
As Panair received further equipment flights to Madrid and Rome were inaugurated. In 1947 services were extended to Cairo and Istanbul, and in 1948 to Zurich and Frankfurt. The same year, services to Montevideo and Buenos Aires began. Santiago de Chile, Lima and Beirut were added in 1950 and Hamburg and Düsseldorf in 1954.
The airline gradually set a high standard for its customer services and for many years in Brazil the expression padrão Panair (Panair standard) was a synonym of excellence in aviation. In fact, the excellence was so well known at the time that years later its DC-8-33 appeared in a handful of movies, including the Italian-French co-production, Copacabana Palace (1962), as well as the French productions La Peau Douce (1964), and L'homme de Rio (1964).
In 1953 Panair placed an order for 4 de Havilland Comet 2
De Havilland Comet
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
with an option for further 2 Comet 3. Panair was the second airline to place an order to such aircraft, only behind BOAC. Those orders were canceled in 1954 due to flaws on the plane's original design.
In 1955 the unused funds of the Comet order were used to purchase 4 Douglas DC-7C
Douglas DC-7
The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
, at that time the ideal aircraft for long-haul operations. The first arrived in 1957. In 1961 Panair purchased 4 Sud Aviation Caravelle
Sud Aviation Caravelle
The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with...
, which entered into service in 1962, operating on domestic trunk routes.
In terms of agreements, between 1956 and 1958 Panair and Lóide Aéreo Nacional
Lóide Aéreo Nacional
Lóide Aéreo Nacional S/A was a Brazilian airline founded in 1947. In 1962 it was incorporated by VASP.-History:On December 22, 1947, Ruy Vacani founded the airline TCA – Transportes Carga Aérea S.A. in Anápolis, State of Goiás, Brazil, an airline specialized in transportation of cargo...
maintained an agreement to avoid harmful competition, in which the Brazilian territory was divided into areas of influence. The agreement also included leasing of aircraft. Between November 30, 1960 and 1965 Panair operated with TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
the Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade was the name of a dedicated air service between Brazil and Portugal operated between 1960 and 1967. It was an operational partnership between the Portuguese TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses and the Brazilian Panair do Brasil and Varig .-History:In order to promote the already...
(Friendship Flight), between São Paulo-Congonhas, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão and Lisbon, with stops in Recife and Sal, using a dedicated Douglas DC-7C aircraft bearing the names of both airlines, TAP flight numbers and crew of the two airlines. Only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal could purchase tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares.
In 1961 Panair started operating the Douglas DC-8-33
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
to Europe. However, in spite of its excellent service, Panair faced increasing competition from other foreign state-run airlines. Addressing the situation, Panair formed an operational pool with Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas , formally Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A., is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. Owned in its majority by the Argentine Government, the airline is headquartered in the Torre Bouchard, located in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires...
, Alitalia
Alitalia
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier...
, and Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
.
Panair do Brasil was forced to cease operations abruptly on February 10, 1965, when the Brazilian military government, which seized power the year before, suspended its operational certification and allotted its international route concessions to Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
and domestic to Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
. In fact, that very night, the Douglas DC-8-33
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
scheduled to operate flight PB22, departing at 10:30 PM from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Recife, Lisbon, Paris-Orly and Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport may refer to:Airports of Frankfurt, Germany:*Frankfurt Airport , the largest airport in Germany*Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport, a general aviation airport*Frankfurt-Hahn Airport , a converted U.S...
was immediately replaced by a Varig Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
. There were no flight cancellations. The operation also involved the transfer of 3 of its Caravelles and 3 of its Catalinas to Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul
Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
, and 2 of its DC-8-33 to Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
. It is known today that Varig and Cruzeiro were aware of the government imminent decision the same morning and had some hours to prepare themselves.
The sudden closure of Panair shock the country since its financial problems were not serious enough for the actions taken by the government. They were originated in other political factors, such as persecution of the military government to the bankers Celso da Rocha Miranda and Mário Wallace Simonsen
Mário Wallace Simonsen
Mário Wallace Simonsen was a Brazilian entrepreneur and businessman. Owner of a business conglomerate of over 30 companies, including Panair do Brasil, TV Excelsior, and coffee export company Comal , Simonsen was one of the wealthiest and most influential men of Brazil...
, owners of Panair, a dispute between bankers to whom both Panair and Varig owed money, and the will of the military government to favor Varig.
On February 16, 1965 Panair was forced to declare bankruptcy because a debt of USD 62 million.
Beyond the Forced Bankruptcy (1965-Present)
The controversial decision to liquidate Panair so suddenly triggered a lengthy legal battle. On December 14, 1984, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court acknowledged that the airline had operated within regular technical and financial parameters when it was shut down and the Federal government was sentenced to pay reparations to its former owners and/or heirs. The forced bankruptcy was suspended on May 5, 1995, and now Panair seeks indemnizations from the Ministry of Justice.On August 27, 2009, with a 44-year delay, the Air Command of the Brazilian Ministry of Defence revoked Panair's route and schedule concessions, which are madatory for airline operations.
Former employees of Panair do Brasil, their families and friends attend an annual reunion on the week of October 22, the airline's birthday, in Rio de Janeiro. This tradition has been religiously preserved since 1966 and there is a movement to include it in the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
.
In 2008 the documentary Panair do Brasil was released. The film, directed by Marco Altberg and screenwritten by Daniel Sasaki summarises the history of the airline.
Fleet
| Aircraft | Total | Years of Operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated Commodore | 7 | 1930–1940 | |
| Sikorsky S-38 Sikorsky S-38 -See also:... |
6 | 1930–1938 | |
| Lockheed Air Express | 1 | 1930-1930 | |
| Fairchild XA-942A Fairchild 91 The Fairchild 91, , was a small flying boat airliner developed in the United states in the mid-1930s.-Design:Fairchild designed the aircraft in response to a Pan American Airways request for a small flying boat to operate on their river routes along the Amazon and Yangtze... |
2 | 1935–1944 | |
| Sikorsky S-43 Baby Clipper Sikorsky S-43 -External links:* - Howard Hughes Sikorsky S-43... |
7 | 1936–1947 | |
| Lockheed Model 10 Electra Lockheed Model 10 Electra The Lockheed Model 10 Electra was a twin-engine, all-metal monoplane airliner developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s to compete with the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2... |
2 | 1937–1943 | |
| Douglas DC-2 Douglas DC-2 The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247... |
2 | 1941–1942 | |
| Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar | 14 | 1941–1947 | |
| Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
23 | 1945–1965 | |
| Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior The Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior, more commonly known as the Lockheed 12 or L-12, is an eight-seat, six-passenger all-metal twin-engine transport aircraft of the late 1930s designed for use by small airlines, companies, and wealthy private individuals... |
2 | 1945–1946 | |
| Lockheed L-049/149 Constellation Lockheed Constellation The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a... |
14 | 1946–1965 | |
| Consolidated PBY-5A/6A Catalina PBY Catalina The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other... |
8 | 1948–1965 | 3 to Cruzeiro do Sul Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously... in 1965 |
| Douglas DC-7C Douglas DC-7 The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and... |
6 | 1957–1965 | |
| Douglas DC-6A Douglas DC-6 The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range... |
4 | 1959–1961 | |
| Douglas DC-8-33 Douglas DC-8 The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company... |
4 | 1961–1965 | 2 to Varig Varig VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline... in 1965 |
| Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle VI R Sud Aviation Caravelle The Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle was the first short/medium-range jet airliner produced by the French Sud Aviation firm starting in 1955 . The Caravelle was one of the more successful European first generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with... |
4 | 1962–1965 | 3 to Cruzeiro do Sul Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously... in 1965 |
Accidents involving fatalities
- 18 August 1941: a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar registration PP-PBD crashed on the Cantareira mountain range near São PauloSão PauloSão Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
. Of the 13 passengers and crew aboard, 8 died. - 28 September 1942: a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar registration PP-PBG crashed on the location of Pedra Branca, near Santo André. All 15 passengers and crew died.
- 31 August 1944: a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar registration PP-PBI crashed while on night approach to São Paulo-Congonhas. All 18 occupants died.
- 21 September 1944: a Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar registration PP-PBH crashed shortly after take-off from Salvador da BahiaDeputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International AirportSalvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport , formerly called Dois de Julho International Airport is the airport serving Salvador da Bahia, Brazil...
. All 17 occupants died. - 27 September 1946: a Douglas DC-3-228DDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registration PP-PCH flying from Belo Horizonte-Pampulha to Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont crashed into a mountain near the location of Alto Rio Doce. All 25 passengers and crew died. - 3 January 1947: a Sikorsky S-43B Baby ClipperSikorsky S-43-External links:* - Howard Hughes Sikorsky S-43...
registration PP-PBN crashed in São Paulo de OlivençaSão Paulo de OlivençaSão Paulo de Olivença is a community and a municipality in the state of Amazonas in Brazil. Its population was 28,861 and its area is 19,746 km²...
. Of the 14 occupants, 11 died. - 28 July 1950: a Lockheed L-049 ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
registration PP-PCG flying from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to Porto AlegreSalgado Filho International AirportSalgado Filho International Airport is the airport serving Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is named after the Senator and first Minister of the Brazilian Air Force Joaquim Pedro Salgado Filho , killed on June 20, 1950 in an accident with an aircraft which departed from Porto Alegre.In 2010 the airport...
struck power lines and crashed on a hill after running out of fuel while holding in bad weather near São LeopoldoSão LeopoldoSão Leopoldo is an important Brazilian industrial city located in the south state of Rio Grande do Sul. It occupies a total area of 103.9 km² at circa 30 km from the State Capital, Porto Alegre. Climate is sub-tropical, with temperatures varying from 2°C minimum at Winter to more than...
. All 50 passengers and crew died. - 28 February 1952: a Douglas DC-3A-393Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
registration PP-PCN flying from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to GoiâniaSanta Genoveva AirportSanta Genoveva/Goiânia Airport is the airport serving Goiânia, Brazil.It is operated by Infraero.-History:The airport was inaugurated in 1955 although operations started a few years earlier...
via UberlândiaUberlândia AirportUberlândia – Ten. Cel. Av. César Bombonato Airport is the airport serving Uberlândia, Brazil. Since 2001 the airport is named after the Uberlândia-born pilot of the Brazilian Air Force César Bombonato , who died on an air crash....
had a wing struck a tree while on going around operations to land at Uberlândia. Of the 31 occupants, 8 died. - 17 June 1953: a Lockheed L-049 ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
registration PP-PDA crashed on final approach to São Paulo-Congonhas. Apparently causes are related to night operations with little visibility. All 17 passengers and crew died. - 16 June 1955: a Lockheed L-049/149 ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
registration PP-PDJ flying from Rio de Janeiro - Galeão to Buenos Aires-EzeizaMinistro Pistarini International AirportMinistro Pistarini International Airport , more commonly known as Ezeiza International Airport owing to its location within the Ezeiza Partido in the Greater Buenos Aires, is an international airport located south-southwest of Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina...
via São PauloSão PauloSão Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
and AsunciónSilvio Pettirossi International Airport-Incidents and accidents:*3 December 1945: an USAAF Douglas C-47B-5-DK registration 43-48602 flying from Asunción to Montevideo crashed 16km SE of Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina...
hit a 12m tree while on final approach to land at Asunción. Part of the wing broke-off, the aircraft crashed and caught fire. Of the 24 passengers and crew aboard, 16 died. - 18 April 1956: a Consolidated PBY-5A/6A CatalinaPBY CatalinaThe Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
registration PP-PDB flying from BelémBelémBelém is a Brazilian city, the capital and largest city of state of Pará, in the country's north region. It is the entrance gate to the Amazon with a busy port, airport and bus/coach station...
to ParintinsParintinsParintins is a city in the far east of the Amazonas state, Brazil. It is located in the municipality of the same name, which is part of a microregion also named Parintins. The population for the entire municipality was 109,150 and its area is 5,952 km². The city is located on Tupinambarana island...
broke in two after striking a submerged object or debris on landing procedures. Of the 12 passengers and crew aboard, 3 died. - 1 November 1961: a Douglas DC-7CDouglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
registration PP-PDO en route from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão via SalAmilcar Cabral International AirportAmílcar Cabral International Airport , also known as Sal International Airport or Amílcar Cabral Airport, is the principal international airport of Cape Verde. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral....
and Recife, during its final approach at Recife, struck a 84m hill 2,7 km away from the runway and broke-up. The aircraft was doing a night approach too low and outside the regular traffic pattern. The aircraft was doing a night approach too low and outside the regular traffic pattern. Forty-five passengers and crew out of the 88 persons aboard died. The aircraft was operating the Voo da amizadeVoo da amizadeVoo da amizade was the name of a dedicated air service between Brazil and Portugal operated between 1960 and 1967. It was an operational partnership between the Portuguese TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses and the Brazilian Panair do Brasil and Varig .-History:In order to promote the already...
(Friendship Flight). - 20 August 1962: a Douglas DC-8-33Douglas DC-8The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
registration PP-PDT flying from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Lisbon overran the runway into the ocean during an aborted take-off. Of the 105 passengers and crew aboard 15 died. - 14 December 1962: a Lockheed L-049 ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
registration PP-PDE en route from Belém-Val de CãesVal de Cães International AirportBelém-Val de Cães/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport is the main airport serving Belém, Brazil. Val de Cães, the name of the neighborhood where the airport is located, is the most common spelling although Val de Cans is also considered correct...
to Manaus-Ponta PeladaPonta Pelada AirportPonta Pelada Airport was until 1976 the main airport of Manaus, Brazil. Between 1970 and 1976 public facilities were shared with the military facilities of Manaus Air Force Base. In 1976, with the opening of Eduardo Gomes International Airport, all public operations were transferred to the new...
crashed in the jungle, during a night approach, due to unknown causes, approximately 45 km from Manaus at the location of Paraná da Eva. All 50 passengers and crew died.
Incidents
- 2 December 1959: the Lockheed L-049/149 ConstellationLockheed ConstellationThe Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
registration PP-PCR operating the flight 246 en route from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont to Belém-Val de CãesVal de Cães International AirportBelém-Val de Cães/Júlio Cezar Ribeiro International Airport is the main airport serving Belém, Brazil. Val de Cães, the name of the neighborhood where the airport is located, is the most common spelling although Val de Cans is also considered correct...
, with 44 passengers and crew aboard, was seized and hijacked by officers of the Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
and made to land at AragarçasAragarçasAragarças is a small town and municipality in southwest Goiás state, Brazil.-Location:Aragarças is the most important town in the Aragarças Microregion. It is 410 km...
, GoiásGoiásGoiás is a state of Brazil, located in the central part of the country. The name Goiás comes from the name of an indigenous community...
. Their intention was to use the aircraft in a bombing of Government buildings in Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, starting thus a revolt against President Juscelino Kubitschek de OliveiraJuscelino Kubitschek de OliveiraJuscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , known also by his initials JK, was a prominent Brazilian politician of gypsy Czech origin who was President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. He was born in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, and died in 1976...
. The revolt faded after 36 hours and the aircraft was commanded to fly to Buenos AiresBuenos AiresBuenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
where the hijackers requested asylum. There were no victims.
See also
- NYRBA (New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line)New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires LineNew York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line was an airline that operated seaplane service from New York City to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and intermediate points on the east coast of South America during the 1920s. It was forced to merge into its competitor, Pan American World Airways, in 1930.NYRBA...
- Pan American World AirwaysPan American World AirwaysPan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
External links
- Panair do Brasil accidents as per Aviation Safety Network
- Timetable images of Panair do Brasil
- Panair do Brasil Photo Archive at airliners.net
- Wings across the Amazon: Panair in northern Brazil
- Airport Development Program: Panair do Brasil's role in WWII
- Grounded by Force: A detailed article of the forced end of Panair
- Too Many Wings: An article contemporary to the shutdown of Panair, later contradicted by Brazilian Justice
- Obra da ditadura: An account of the end of Panair