BRAZILIAN carrier Varig could start flying to South Africa again soon, even though it has a codeshare agreement with South African Airways. Varig suspended its Johannesburg route last year due to a crisis in the Brazilian economy, but South African gm, Paulo Rodriguez, is confident the route will be reopened before year-end. "When Brazil's economy took the downfall last year, with the consequent devaluation of our currency, our aircraft leases with foreign banks were duplicated and we had to return some aircraft and retrench staff." He said the Johannesburg office was sacrificed in favour of a gsa agreement with Travel Directions, but a Varig office in Holiday House remains. Rodriguez said the carrier had already ordered, and was in the process of leasing, new aircraft, including Boeing 737-800's and 777's as well as MD 11's. These aircraft should be operational by the end of the year. Meanwhile Varig's frequent flyer programme, Smiles, has been linked to the SAA Voyager programme, enabling Varig passengers on the SAA codeshare flight to South America to earn miles. Rodriguez said Varig was a sleeping giant in SA and would return to full strength soon. (Johann Hattingh)
