Varig

Founded7 May 1927 (1927-05-07) (Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)20 July 2006 (2006-07-20) (merged with Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes)HubsRio de Janeiro/Galeão International AirportSmilesAllianceStar Alliance (1997–2007)SubsidiariesHeadquartersRio de JaneiroKey people

Varig (Viação Aérea Rio-Grandense, 'Rio Grandean Airways') was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990, it was Brazil's leading airline and virtually its only international one. In 2005, Varig went into judicial restructuring, and in 2006 it was split into two companies: Flex Linhas Aéreas, informally known as "old" Varig, heir to the original airline, now defunct; and "new" Varig, a new company, fully integrated into Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes.