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{{Short description|Brazilian airline}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas
| logo = Voepass-pagina.png
| caption = 
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| IATA = 2Z
| ICAO = PTB
| callsign = PASSAREDO
| founded = {{start date and age|1995||}}
| commenced = {{start date and age|1995|07|03}}
| ceased = {{start date and age|2025|06|24}}
| aoc = 12,794 - October 13, 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sas.anac.gov.br/sas/empresasaereas/view/frmEmpresas.aspx|title=Empresas Aéreas - Consulta|website=ANAC|access-date=15 March 2025|language=pt}}</ref>
| bases = 
| hubs = [[Leite Lopes Airport|Ribeirão Preto]]
| secondary_hubs = 
| focus_cities = 
| frequent_flyer = 
| lounge = 
| alliance = 
| subsidiaries = [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]]
| fleet_size = 10 (as of May 2025)
| destinations = none
| parent = 
| num_employees = few (as of May 2025)
| headquarters = [[Ribeirão Preto]], Brazil
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
| José Luiz Felício Filho ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]] & [[President (corporate title)|President]])}}
| founders = José Luiz Felício
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| website = {{URL|www.voepass.com.br}}
| notes = In March of 2025, operations were suspended due non-compliance with the Safety Management System (SMS) that lead ANAC to issue the Order of Suspension.<ref name="gov.br"/> On June 24, 2025 its AOC was revoked. The decision is not applicable to its subsidiary MAP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aeroin.net/anac-cassa-certificado-da-voepass-apos-falhas-graves-em-manutencao-de-aeronaves/|title=ANAC cassa certificado da Voepass após falhas graves em manutenção de aeronaves|website=Aeroin|date=24 June 2025|access-date=24 June 2025|language=pt}}</ref>
}}
'''Voepass Linhas Aéreas''', stylized as '''VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas''', was an [[airline]] based in [[Ribeirão Preto]], São Paulo, Brazil. It was formed by '''Passaredo Linhas Aéreas''' and '''MAP Linhas Aéreas'''. It operated regional services in Brazil. Its main base was [[Leite Lopes Airport]], Ribeirão Preto.<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 61 | date= April 10, 2007}}</ref> According to the [[National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil|National Civil Aviation Agency]] (ANAC), between January and December 2023, VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas carried 737,928 passengers and had 0.3% of the domestic [[market share]] of revenue passenger kilometres (RPK),<ref>{{cite web |title=Relatório de demanda e oferta do transporte aéreo |trans-title=Air Transport Supply and Demand Report |url=https://app.powerbi.com |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil |language=pt}}</ref> making it the fourth-largest domestic airline in Brazil. On March 11, 2025, Brazilian [[National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil|National Civil Aviation Agency]] (ANAC) suspended all operations due to "non-conformities related to the company's management systems provided for in regulations." This was announced in a Press Release on ANAC's webpage.<ref name="gov.br">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/anac/pt-br/noticias/2025/anac-suspende-operacoes-aereas-da-voepass-em-carater-cautelar|website=National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil|date=11 March 2025|access-date=11 March 2025|language=pt |title=Anac suspende operações aéreas da Voepass em caráter cautelar |trans-title=Anac suspends Voepass air operations as a precautionary measure}}</ref> On March 12, 2025, LATAM Airlines terminated its codeshare agreement. Brazil's [[Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Brazil)|Ministry of Justice and Public Security]] issued a press release stating that the decision was taken after the company failed to correct flaws in its management systems and comes months after a fatal accident in Vinhedo-SP.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Anac suspende operações da Voepass após irregularidades e reforça fiscalização no setor aéreo |date=2025-03-11 |publisher=Ministry of Justice and Public Security |url=https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/anac-suspende-operacoes-da-voepass-apos-irregularidades-e-reforca-fiscalizacao-no-setor-aereo |language=pt-BR |access-date=2025-03-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312183232/https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/anac-suspende-operacoes-da-voepass-apos-irregularidades-e-reforca-fiscalizacao-no-setor-aereo |archive-date=2025-03-12 |trans-title=Anac suspends Voepass operations after irregularities and reinforces inspection in the aviation sector}}</ref>

On June 24, 2025, the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) made the decision to permanently revoke the airlines Air Operator Certificate (AOC), effectively grounding the company and leading to its immediate shutdown. The reason for the decision was cited as repeated safety violations and systemic failures.<ref>https://simpleflying.com/voepass-shuts-down-failure-20-inspections/</ref>

==History==
===Passaredo Transportes Aéreos (1995–2002)===
====Establishment====
[[File:Passaredo.png|thumb|left|Oldest Passaredo logo]]
Founded by businessman José Luiz Felício, owner of the bus company Viação Passaredo and father of the airline's current president, José Luiz Felício Filho, Passaredo Transportes Aéreos began operations on July 3, 1995, with two [[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB-120 Brasília]], connecting cities such as [[Ribeirão Preto]], [[Teresina]], [[Goiânia]], [[Brasília]], [[São Paulo]], [[Curitiba]], [[São José dos Campos]], [[Belo Horizonte]] and [[Vitória da Conquista]]. With the success of the flights, the company leased a third plane of the same model to reinforce its operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Carlos |date=2020-07-03 |title=Passaredo turns 25 |url=https://aeroin.net/passaredo-completa-25-anos/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=AEROIN |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

In 1997, Passaredo introduced into service a twin-aisle [[Airbus A310|Airbus A310-300]] with capacity for 244 passengers, becoming the first Brazilian airline to operate it,<ref>{{Cite web |last=AlexandreACW |date=2012-04-10 |title=A brief history of the Airbus A310 in Brazil |url=https://avioesemusicas.com/uma-pequena-historia-do-airbus-a-310-no-brasil.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Aviões e Músicas |language=pt-BR}}</ref> followed by a second aircraft to operate on domestic tourist charter flights to destinations in the [[Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeast]] and international in the [[Caribbean]].

Incorporated two [[ATR 42|ATR-42-300]] turboprops to modernize and expand its fleet, replacing its three Embraer aircraft. Short after, they were returned to leasing companies less than two years after being put into operation, due to the "[[Samba effect|Samba Effect]]", a financial crisis that affected Brazil in 1999 and resulted in a strong devaluation of the real, the national currency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AlexandreACW |date=2013-06-13 |title=A brief history of Passaredo |url=https://avioesemusicas.com/uma-breve-historia-da-passaredo.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Aviões e Músicas |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

[[File:Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, Passaredo Transportes Aereos AN1155142.jpg|263px|thumb|Embraer EMB-120 Brasília reg. PP-PSA, the first Passaredo aircraft, in 2006]]
====2000s====
On April 4, 2002, due to financial difficulties, Passaredo announced the suspension of all its flights with immediate effect for an indefinite period, grounding its fleet made up solely of the two Embraer aircraft acquired in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vechia |first=Silvia Dalla |date=2002-04-08 |title=Passaredo suspende vôos |trans-title=Passaredo suspended flights |url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/plantaodenoticias/2002/04/passaredo-suspende-voos-_3368.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Portal PANROTAS |language=pt}}</ref>

===Return to Passaredo Linhas Aéreas (2004–2019)===
In March 2004, splited off of the Passaredo Group, owner of Viação Passaredo, the airline returned to operations under the name Passaredo Linhas Aéreas, with one of the two EMB-120 Brasília aircraft that had been grounded two years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barros |first=Alexandre |date=2004-03-01 |title=Passaredo retoma hoje operações em Curitiba |trans-title=Passaredo resumed operations in Curitiba today |url=https://aviacaobrasil.com.br/Passaredo_retoma_hoje_operacoes_em_Curitiba/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Portal Aviação Brasil |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Some time later, the second plane was reactivated and another four Brasília were incorporated into the fleet, which began to be replaced by [[Embraer]] jets from April 2009.

[[File:PT-SLE Embraer Emb.120 Passaredo (7321625824).jpg|263px|thumb|PT-SLE showing Passaredo's new visual identity in 2008]]

In 2008, Passaredo revealed a different visual identity and an ambitious route plan and fleet expansion,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Niemeyer |first=Felipe |date=2008-11-28 |title=Passaredo tem nova marca e quer crescer 250% |trans-title=Passaredo has a new brand and wants to grow 250% |url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/aviacao/2008/11/passaredo-tem-nova-marca-e-quer-crescer-250_42829.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Portal PANROTAS |language=pt-BR}}</ref> announcing the acquisition of five [[Embraer ERJ 145|Embraer ERJ-145]], with a capacity for 50 seats. The second-hand planes were leased directly from Embraer, with the first delivery scheduled for April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2008-11-17 |title=Passaredo anuncia a encomenda de cinco jatos ERJ 145 |url=https://flapinternational.ig.com.br/noticias/passaredo-anuncia-a-encomenda-de-cinco-jatos-erj-145/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Flap International |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

In 2009, Passaredo opened routes to [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[São Paulo]], [[Porto Alegre]], [[Palmas, Tocantins|Palmas]], [[Bauru]], [[Marília]], [[Barreiras]], [[Presidente Prudente]], [[Goiânia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/aviacao/passaredo-anuncia-novos-voos-em-goiania/|title=Passaredo anuncia novos voos em Goiânia|date=December 17, 2010 }}</ref> and [[Recife]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/aviacao/passaredo-inicia-operacoes-para-recife/|title=Passaredo inicia operações para Recife|date=March 30, 2010 }}</ref> With this, the company more than doubled the number of seats available and consolidated itself as the second largest regional company in Brazil.

====2010s====
In 2010, the airline received an [[ERJ-135]] to expand its network. On April 29, 2011, it retired the last three EMB-120 turboprops,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poggio |first=Guilherme |date=2011-04-26 |title=Passaredo encerrará operações com EMB-120 Brasília |url=https://www.aereo.jor.br/2011/04/26/passaredo-encerrara-operacoes-com-emb-120-brasilia/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Poder Aéreo – Aviação, Forças Aéreas, Indústria Aeroespacial e de Defesa |language=pt-BR}}</ref> but stopped flying to Marília, Bauru and Presidente Prudente, claiming that the ERJ-145s were too large for the demand on these routes.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-02-13 |title=Passaredo encerra operações em Marília, Bauru e Presidente Prudente |url=https://portalregional.net.br/2011/02/passaredo-encerra-operacoes-em-marilia-bauru-e-presidente-prudente/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Portal Regional - Portal de Notícias de Dracena |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

From 2010 until 2014, Passaredo had an operational partnership with [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|GOL Linhas Aéreas]], replacing an earlier similar agreement with [[TAM Airlines]] ([[LATAM Airlines Group|LATAM Airlines]]). In 2014, re-established an operational partnership with TAM (LATAM).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/aviação/tam-nega-interesse-na-passaredo-e-anuncia-acordo_102556.html?pesquisa=1 | title=TAM nega interesse na Passaredo e anuncia acordo | publisher=Panrotas | date=July 17, 2014 | access-date=August 6, 2014 | language=pt}}</ref>

On May 23, 2012, Passaredo acquired 10 [[ATR 72-600]] aircraft, with the option to purchase ten more. Started operations of the first of six [[ATR 72-500]] leased.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passaredo anuncia aquisição de dez aeronaves |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/economia/passaredo-anuncia-aquisicao-de-dez-aeronaves/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=VEJA |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

Passaredo applied to the Commercial Bankruptcy and Reorganization Court in Ribeirão Preto on October 19, 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/aviacao/passaredo-pede-recuperacao-judicial_82374.html | title=Passaredo pede recuperação judicial | publisher=Panrotas | date=October 19, 2012 | access-date=October 20, 2012 | language=pt | first=Artur Luiz | last=Andrade}}</ref> for the commencement of "judicial reorganization" proceedings pursuant to the New Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law of Brazil (Law 11.101).<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil/_ato2004-2006/2005/lei/L11101.htm | title=Lei n˚11.101, de 9 de fevereiro de 2005 | publisher=Presidência da República: Casa Civil | date=February 9, 2005 | access-date=October 20, 2012 | language=pt}}</ref> Operations continue as normal.

[[File:Embraer EMB-145LR (ERJ-145LR), Passaredo Transportes Aereos AN1989147.jpg|263px|thumb|Embraer ERJ-145 reg. PR-PSM taxiing in August 2011]]

After filed for bankruptcy protection, the airline retired the Embraer regional jets due to the high cost of operation and maintenance, standardizing its fleet with [[ATR 72]] turboprops, for being more economical with great seating capacity and suitable for operations at airports with limited infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-09-25 |title=Passaredo vai encerrar as operações com jatos ERJ 145 |url=https://flapinternational.ig.com.br/aviacao-comercial/passaredo-vai-encerrar-as-operacoes-com-jatos-erj-145/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Flap International |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

In the year 2014, along with [[Avianca Brasil]], Passaredo was considered the safest of Brazil in a ranking of ''AirlineRatings.com'', receiving seven star rating. The staff evaluated 449 airlines to security criteria. A total of 149 evaluated airlines got seven stars, the highest score.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-06 |title=Relatório traz 10 companhias aéreas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais |url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2015/01/150106_seguranca_cias_aereas_pai |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=BBC News Brasil |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2015-01-06 |title=Relatório traz 10 companhias aéreas mais seguras; 2014 teve 21 acidentes fatais |url=https://g1.globo.com/turismo-e-viagem/noticia/2015/01/relatorio-traz-10-companhias-aereas-mais-seguras-2014-teve-21-acidentes-fatais.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Turismo e Viagem |language=pt-br}}</ref>

====Partnership with GOL Linhas Aéreas====
In January 2017, Passaredo re-established operational partnership with [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|GOL Linhas Aéreas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voegol.com.br/pt/a-gol/imprensa/gol-inicia-parceria-com-a-passaredo-para-voos-regionais|title=Passagens Aéreas na GOL|website=GOL. Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes.|language=pt-br|access-date=2018-09-07}}</ref> Maintained partnership with LATAM.

On July 3, 2017, company was sold to [[Itapemirim (bus company)|Viação Itapemirim]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://diariodotransporte.com.br/2017/07/03/passaredo-linhas-aereas-e-vendida-para-grupo-da-viacao-itapemirim/ | title=Passaredo Linhas Aéreas é vendida para Grupo da Viação Itapemirim | publisher=Diário do Transporte | date=July 3, 2017 | language=pt}}</ref> and on August 24 emerges from bankruptcy,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-24 |title=Justiça determina fim da recuperação judicial da Passaredo |url=https://istoedinheiro.com.br/justica-determina-fim-da-recuperacao-judicial-da-passaredo/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=IstoÉ Dinheiro |language=pt-br}}</ref> but on September 11, 2017, resigned the sale to Itapemirim for breach of contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2017/09/1917589-passaredo-desfaz-venda-a-itapemirim-por-descumprimento-de-contrato.shtml | title=Passaredo desfaz venda à Itapemirim por descumprimento de contrato | publisher=Folha De S.Paulo | date=September 11, 2017 | language=pt}}</ref>

===Rebranding to VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas (2019–2024)===
In June 2019, [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|GOL Linhas Aéreas]] and Passaredo expanded their commercial relationship through a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA), with the airline operating regional flights on behalf of GOL, initially connecting the hub at [[Brasília International Airport]] with [[São José do Rio Preto]], [[Araguaína]] and [[Barreiras]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alvarenga |first=Thayana |date=2019-09-02 |title=Gol inicia três rotas saindo de Brasília em parceria com a Passaredo |url=https://www.melhoresdestinos.com.br/gol-voos-passaredo.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Melhores Destinos |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Over the years, the agreement was expanded, with Passaredo operating up to 14 destinations on flights marketed exclusively by GOL, but operated by Passaredo planes and crew.

====Acquisition of MAP Linhas Aéreas====
On August 21, 2019, Passaredo purchased [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]], including 12 slots at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo Congonhas Airport]] granted to MAP on August 14. Passaredo was granted 14 slots,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2019/08/anac-oficializa-alocacao-de-slots-em-congonhas/166761 | title=ANAC oficializa alocação de slots em Congonhas | website=Panrotas | date=14 August 2019 | access-date=22 August 2019 | language=pt}}</ref> to build its own network, focusing on markets underserved. Both companies operated independently but were merged.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2019/08/passaredo-anuncia-a-compra-da-regional-map-linhas-aereas_166935.html | title=Passaredo anuncia a compra da regional MAP | website=Panrotas | date=21 August 2019 | access-date=22 August 2019 | language=pt}}</ref>
On the same day Passaredo also announced the change of its name to VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas.

====2020s====
On June 8, 2021, [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|GOL Linhas Aéreas]] purchased [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]] from VOEPASS for R$120 million (US$25.4 million). Transaction included 26 slots at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo Congonhas Airport]]  belonging to MAP and VOEPASS.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroin.net/gol-tera-todos-os-slots-de-map-e-passaredo-no-aeroporto-de-congonhas/ | title=GOL terá todos os slots de MAP e Passaredo no Aeroporto de Congonhas | website=Aeroin | date=8 June 2021 | access-date=10 June 2021 | language=pt}}</ref>

[[File:ATR 72-500 (72-212A) (Passaredo Linhas Aéreas) .jpg|263px|thumb|Passaredo's ATR 72-500 taxiing for takeoff in Salvador]]

On November 3, 2022, the airline became a member of the [[International Air Transport Association]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernandes |first1=Victor |title=Voepass é a mais nova empresa aérea membro da Iata |url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2022/11/voepass-e-a-mais-nova-empresa-aerea-membro-da-iata_192897.html |website=Portal PANROTAS |date=3 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry {{!}} CAPA |url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/voepass-joins-iata-1170903 |website=centreforaviation.com}}</ref> Two days later, on November 5, 2022, it joined the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferreira |first1=Carlos |title=VOEPASS agora é uma empresa aérea ALTA |url=https://aeroin.net/voepass-agora-e-uma-empresa-aerea-alta/ |website=AEROIN |language=pt-BR |date=5 November 2020}}</ref>

In April 2023, after [[National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil|ANAC]] released a new regulatory model the previous year that allowed airlines to sell slots without the need for an M&A agreement, GOL reversed its agreement to acquire [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]], acquiring only the slots at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|São Paulo Congonhas Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Gol diz estudar alternativas para comprar slots da Voepass em Congonhas; compra de MAP não deverá ocorrer |url=https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2023/04/26/gol-diz-estudar-alternativas-para-comprar-slots-da-voepass-em-congonhas-compra-de-map-no-dever-ocorrer.ghtml |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Valor Econômico |language=pt-br}}</ref> Thus, VOEPASS continued to hold all MAP operations, including its air operator certificate, fleet and routes in Manaus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CABANGU Aviation {{!}} MAP VOEPASS |url=http://www.acwservices.com.br/cabangu/fbr_pam.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.acwservices.com.br}}</ref>

In April 2023, [[Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes|GOL Linhas Aéreas]] and VOEPASS finalized their commercial agreements (CPA) effective May 9, 2023, resulting in the suspension of numerous destinations operated by VOEPASS. Between June 2019 and April 2023, the regional airline served up to 14 destinations on behalf of GOL in all regions of Brazil. On the same day, the company announced the expansion of a codeshare agreement with [[LATAM Airlines Brasil|LATAM Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meier |first=Ricardo |date=2023-04-11 |title=VoePass se aproxima da LATAM após fim da parceria com a Gol |url=https://www.airway.com.br/voepass-se-aproxima-da-latam-apos-fim-da-parceria-com-a-gol/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Airway |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title=GOL suspende acordo com VOEPASS e corta voos para diversas cidades do país - ONTIME |work=ONTIME |url=https://ontimeaviation.net/noticias-brasil/gol-suspende-acordo-com-voepass-e-corta-voos-para-diversas-cidades-do-pais/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

====Partnership with LATAM Airlines====
On April 11, 2023, [[LATAM Airlines Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] started ticket sales to 13 regional destinations operated by VOEPASS, namely [[Ipatinga]], [[Barreiras]], [[Feira de Santana]], [[Valença, Bahia|Valença]], [[Paulo Afonso]], [[Teixeira de Freitas]], [[Lençóis]], [[Fernando de Noronha]], [[Uruguaiana]], [[Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul|Santa Maria]], [[Pelotas]], [[Santo Ângelo]] and [[Aracati]], in addition to [[Coari]], [[Carauari]], [[Parintins]], [[Itaituba]] and [[Parnaíba]], operated by [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]] on behalf of VOEPASS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Basseto |first=Murilo |date=2023-04-11 |title=Latam anuncia venda de voos para 13 novos destinos no Brasil em parceria com a Voepass |url=https://aeroin.net/latam-anuncia-venda-de-voos-para-13-novos-destinos-no-brasil-em-parceria-com-a-voepass/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=AEROIN |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

[[File:ATR-72 600 VOEPASS PR-PDO.jpg|263px|thumb|ATR 72-600 reg. PR-PDO with the new commercial name VOEPASS after rebranding]]
[[File:Interior ATR 72-600 Passaredo.JPG|263px|thumb|Passenger cabin of a Passaredo ATR 72-600]]
On September 20, 2023, tour operator CVC announced an exclusive partnership with VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas to launch exclusive flights from [[Belo Horizonte International Airport|Belo Horizonte/Confins]], [[Uberlândia]], [[Santos Dumont Airport|Rio de Janeiro/Santos Dumont]], [[São José do Rio Preto]], [[Bauru]], [[Vitória, Espírito Santo|Vitória]] and [[Brasília]], mainly heading to destinations in the Northeast region, such as [[Porto Seguro]], [[Ilhéus]] and [[Ilha de Comandatuba]], in addition to [[Caldas Novas]], the largest hydro-thermal resort in the world. VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas forecasts the availability of 70 thousand seats between December 2023 and February 2024; the operation will also continue for the following 12 months, with availability until March 2025, the airline said.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menezes |first=Pedro |date=2023-09-20|title=CVC anuncia mais de 70 mil lugares em voos exclusivos da Voepass até março de 2025 |url=https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/agencias-e-operadoras/cvc-anuncia-mais-de-70-mil-lugares-em-voos-exclusivos-da-voepass-ate-marco-de-2025/ |access-date=2024-04-12|website=Mercado & Eventos |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

On February 21, 2024, launched six destinations from March 31, namely [[Cascavel]], [[Caxias do Sul]], [[Florianópolis]], [[Maringá]], [[Presidente Prudente]] and [[Rio Verde, Goiás|Rio Verde]]. The flights were sold by the airline itself and also through [[LATAM Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] sales channels, operated through code-share between the two companies.

====Acquisition by LATAM Airlines not realized====
On March 14, 2024, the Fortaleza-based newspaper [[Diário do Nordeste]] announced, citing airline industry sources, that [[LATAM Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] had acquired VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas to expand its operations in secondary and regional markets. The acquisition announcement, according to the newspaper, would be made by the two airlines during a [[Brazilian government]] event to launch a regional aviation incentive program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgado |first=João |date=2024-03-14|title=LATAM está perto de adquirir a VOEPASS |url=https://travel4all.com.br/latam-compra-companhia-de-voos-regionais-voepass/ |access-date=2024-04-17|website=Travel4All |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Rumors increased with the publication of a Concentration Act in the Official Diary of the Union ([[Diário Oficial da União|DOU]]), the official journal of the federal government of Brazil, requested by the airlines, of an operation such as "acquisition of shares without acquisition of control".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13|title=Edital nº 123, de 13 de março de 2024 |url=https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/edital-n-123-de-13-de-marco-de-2024.-548120249 |access-date=2024-04-17|website=[[Diário Oficial da União]]|language=pt-BR}}</ref> Later, [[LATAM Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] went public to clarify the information, signalling that it had not acquired the regional airline, but that it submitted to the Administrative Council for Economic Defense ([[Administrative Council for Economic Defense|CADE]]), a Brazilian antitrust body, the request to carry out a support operation financial support to VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas to optimize its slots to expand flight and destination options in the Brazilian airline market, with a possible future minority stake in VOEPASS just as one of the guarantee options for this operation. The giant Latin American airline, but did not provide details on how this support provided and how slots optimized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martins |first=Carlos|date=2024-03-14|title=LATAM nega compra da Voepass, mas fala de apoio financeiro com otimização de slots |url=https://aeroin.net/latam-nega-compra-da-voepass-mas-fala-de-apoio-financeiro-para-uso-de-slots/ |access-date=2024-04-17|website=AeroIN|language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cardoso|first=Marcel|date=2024-03-14|title=Latam negou que esteja comprando a Voepass |url=https://aeromagazine.uol.com.br/artigo/latam-negou-que-esteja-comprando-voepass.html |access-date=2024-04-17|website=AERO Magazine|language=pt-BR}}</ref> Details about the operation later emerged, according to the documents sent to [[Administrative Council for Economic Defense|CADE]], VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas exchanged ten pairs of [[airport slot]] (landing and takeoff times) at [[São Paulo–Congonhas Airport|Congonhas Airport]], in [[São Paulo]], during peak hours, for ten pairs of [[LATAM Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] slots at the same terminal, however, at less busy times. In return, VOEPASS issued convertible [[debentures]] (debt securities), which, together with purchase options, provided LATAM with the right to convert its investment into up to 30% of the shares of VOEPASS and its subsidiary [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Setti|first=Rennan|date=2024-03-14|title=Os detalhes da operação entre Latam e VoePass — participação pode ser de até 30%|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/blogs/capital/post/2024/03/os-detalhes-da-operacao-entre-latam-e-voepass-participacao-pode-ser-de-ate-30percent.ghtml|access-date=2024-04-17|website=[[O Globo]]|language=pt-BR}}</ref>

===Suspended===
Following the crash of [[Voepass Flight 2283|Flight 2283]] on August 9, 2024, Voepass came under the scrutiny of the media and public opinion. As a result, it began a restructuring process throughout its operational structure, from the reformulation of the flight network and the suspension of destinations, to the change of executives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=Voepass demite três diretores e faz reestruturação |trans-title=Voepass dismisses three directors and restructures |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2024/09/voepass-demite-diretores-e-faz-reestruturacao-apos-acidente-aereo-que-matou-62.shtml |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=[[Folha de S.Paulo]] |language=pt-BR}}</ref> On September 25, 2024, after several questions related to maintenance problems reported, VOEPASS laid off directors of Operational Safety, Maintenance and Operations. The company's president and co-founder, José Luiz Felício Filho, assumed as chief executive officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Eduardo Busch, former CEO, assumed the position of Chief Legal Officer (CLO).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menezes |first=Pedro |date=2024-09-26 |title=Voepass demite diretores, e presidente assume gestão direta das operações |trans-title=Voepass dismisses directors, and president assumes direct management of operations |url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2024/09/voepass-demite-diretores-e-presidente-assume-gestao-direta-das-operacoes_209810.html |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Panrotas |language=pt-BR}}</ref> Subsequently, less than a month later, Busch was fired from the airline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menezes |first=Pedro |date=2024-10-20 |title=Voepass demite ex-CEO em crise após acidente aéreo |trans-title=Voepass fires former CEO in crisis after plane crash |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2024/10/voepass-demite-braco-direito-do-presidente-em-mais-um-capitulo-da-crise-apos-acidente-aereo.shtml |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=[[Folha de S.Paulo]] |language=pt-BR}}</ref> On November 7, 2024, VOEPASS suspended to sale tickets to its own destinations through its website, launching a route network that only included destinations sold exclusively by [[LATAM Brasil|LATAM Airlines]] through a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA), in addition to its contract for the transportation of employees of the state-owned company [[Petrobras]] in the state of [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Voepass suspende vendas de passagens aéreas no próprio site |trans-title=Voepass suspends sales of airline tickets on its own website |url=https://noticias.uol.com.br/cotidiano/ultimas-noticias/2024/11/07/voe-pass-venda-de-passagem.htm |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=[[Universo Online|UOL]] |language=pt-BR}}</ref> On March 11, 2025, the [[National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil]] suspended all operating license of Voepass, citing the airline's "inability to solve irregularities identified during the supervision, as well as the violation of previously established conditions for the continuity of the operation within the required safety standards".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/brazil-airliner-voepass-license-suspension-5b2029de7b3b5ffcdf59449de3e4599d |title=Brazilian authorities suspend the airline involved in last year's crash that killed 62 |access-date=12 March 2025|date=12 March 2025 |publisher=AP News}}</ref> The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) had applied R$4.4 million in fines against Voepass since 2014. However, the company had only paid R$123 thousand, which corresponded to 2.79% of the total applied, 255 fines were issued.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Voepass pagou apenas 2,8% das multas aplicadas pela Anac desde 2014 |trans-title=Voepass has paid only 2.8% of the fines applied by Anac since 2014 |url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2025/03/18/voepass-pagou-apenas-27percent-das-multas-aplicadas-pela-anac-desde-2014.ghtml |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=G1 |language=pt-br}}</ref> On April 14, 2025, most of its employees were laid off.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 April 2025 |title=Sem previsão de retorno, Voepass demite maioria dos seus funcionários |trans-title=With no return date set, Voepass fires most of its employees |url=https://aeroin.net/sem-previsao-de-retorno-voepass-demite-todos-os-seus-funcionarios-de-solo/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=Aeroin |language=pt}}</ref> On April 23, 2025, Voepass filed for bankruptcy protection, blaming financial woes caused by LATAM Airlines, reporting about 209.2 million reais ($36.78 million) in debt caused by the Flight 2283 crash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magalhaes |first=Luciana |date=April 23, 2025 |title=Brazilian airline Voepass files for bankruptcy, blames LATAM for financial woes |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/brazilian-airline-voepass-files-bankrupcty-blames-latam-financial-woes-2025-04-23/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

On 30 April 2025 Union requested in Justice freezing of Voepass assets to ensure payment of severance pay.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aeroin.net/sindicato-pede-bloqueio-de-bens-da-voepass-para-garantir-pagamento-de-verbas-rescisorias/|title=Union |website=Aeroin |access-date=5 May 2025 |language=pt}}</ref> It is important to notice that according to the Brazilian legal system (and The Federal Reorganization & Bankruptcy Law), VOEPASS remains in business. Its bankruptcy protection ("concordata" in Portuguese) means time for reorganization. If unsuccessful in this first phase, a full bankruptcy is likely be declared "de officio" by the Federal Judge currently presiding over the case. In Brazil, a "de officio" decision refers to a judicial decision made by a presiding judge acting under a duty or responsibility, rather than at the request or initiative of a party involved in the case.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://economia.uol.com.br/colunas/todos-a-bordo/2025/04/26/voepass-pede-recuperacao-judicial-empresa-ja-passou-por-isso-antes-e-saiu.htm | title=Voepass pede recuperação judicial: Empresa já passou por isso antes e saiu | website=uol.com.br | date=10 May 2025 }}</ref>

==Fleet==
===Current fleet===
The airline's fleet was made up exclusively of turboprop aircraft from the Italian-French manufacturer [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|ATR]]. All aircraft are named after birds of the [[Wildlife of Brazil|Brazilian fauna]]. VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas' fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of May 2025):<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/2z-ptb/fleet | title=VoePass fleet | website=FlightRadar24 | date=7 May 2025 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:0.5em auto"
|+VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas Fleet
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Aircraft
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Out of Service
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Orders
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Passengers
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Note
|-
|[[ATR 42|ATR 42-500]]
|2
|&mdash;
|48
|All {{Tooltip|opby|operated by}} [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[ATR 72|ATR 72-500]]
| rowspan="3" |8
| rowspan="3" |&mdash;
|68
| rowspan="3"|Reg. PR-PDT {{Tooltip|opby|operated by}} [[MAP Linhas Aéreas]]
|-
|72
|-
|74
|-
!TOTAL
!10
!&mdash;
! colspan="3" |
|}

===Gallery===
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Once VOEPASS">
File:PS-VPB ATR 72-500 Voepass SBSV (cropped).jpg|[[ATR 72-500]]
File:PR-PDA ATR.72 Passaredo (8167145190).jpg|[[ATR 72-600]]
</gallery>

===Former fleet===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:0.5em auto"
|+ Retired VOEPASS Linhas Aéreas Fleet
|- 
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Aircraft
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Total
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Years of operation
! style="background:#4f5050; color:white;"|Note
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB 120ER Brasília]]
|7
|1995–2011
|
|-
|[[Airbus A310]]
|2
|1997–1999
|
|-
|[[ATR 42|ATR 42–300]]
|2
|1999–2000
|
|-
|[[ATR 72|ATR 72–500]]
|1
|2022 - 2024
|Crashed as [[Voepass Flight 2283|Flight 2283]]
|-
|[[ATR 72|ATR 72-600]]
|4
|2022 - 2025
|All Returned to England for Lessor
|-
||[[Embraer ERJ 145 family|Embraer ERJ 135]]
|1
|2009–2010
|
|-
|[[Embraer ERJ 145 family|Embraer ERJ 145]]
|15
|2009–2013
|
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
[[File:PS-VPB ATR 72-500 Voepass SBPA.jpg|thumb|PS-VPB, the aircraft that crashed operating [[Voepass Flight 2283|Flight 2283]]]]

*On August 25, 2010, Passaredo Linhas Aéreas Flight 2231, operated by an [[Embraer ERJ-145]], crashed on approach to [[Vitória da Conquista]], Bahia. The plane landed short of the runway and the crew lost control, severely damaging the aircraft before it came to a stop away from the runway. Two of the twenty-seven people on board were injured. The airline said the plane was unable to lower landing gear, although observers said the landing gear was down while the aircraft was landing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=August 26, 2010 |title=Accident: Passaredo E145 at Vitoria da Conquista on Aug 25th 2010, landed short of runway |url=http://avherald.com/h?article=4301b307&opt=0 |access-date=August 28, 2010 |website=The Aviation Herald}}</ref>
*On August 9, 2024, [[Voepass Flight 2283]], operated by an [[ATR 72-500]] (registered as PS-VPB), crashed in the municipality of [[Vinhedo]], São Paulo. All 58 passengers and 4 crew members aboard died.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Plane crash in Brazil's São Paulo state kills all 62 on board |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07e9x0d4p2o |access-date=9 August 2024 |website=BBC News}}</ref> The flight was en route from [[Cascavel Airport|Cascavel]] to [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo–Guarulhos]].The preliminary report from Brazil's Centre for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents ([[Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center|CENIPA]]), suggests that a buildup of ice on the plane could have been a significant factor in the crash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Lucy |date=2024-09-09 |title=Preliminary report identifies ice build-up in Voepass ATR crash |url=https://www.laranews.net/preliminary-report-identifies-ice-build-up-in-voepass-atr-crash/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=LARA}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of defunct airlines of Brazil]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal bar|Brazil|Companies|Aviation|Transport}}
{{commons category|Voepass Linhas Aéreas}}
{{Airlines of Brazil}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Voepass Transportes Aéreos}}
[[Category:Airlines of Brazil]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1995]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2025]]
[[Category:Companies that have filed for bankruptcy in Brazil]]