Chris Jasper/RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazil's Varig is to cease Boeing 747 passenger operations after nearly 20 years of using the type. The carrier is to return three leased 747-300s to International Lease Finance, and also plans to sell its two -300 Combis.
Although Varig president and chief executive Fernando Pinto says potential buyers are interested in the aircraft, they could prove difficult to place because there are some stretched upper deck 747 Classic models being offered. All five Varig aircraft are General Electric CF6-50-powered.
The Brazilian flag carrier has also confirmed plans to shed its last four passenger-configured McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s, together with six Boeing 737-200s.
Varig had six DC-10 passenger aircraft in mid-1998. One was placed with Venezuelan carrier Avensa at the end of that year, followed by a second early this year. A third is going to Belgium's Skyjet, and Avensa is believed to be interested in further aircraft.
Varig says it owns three of its four DC-10s, and claims to have placed two already, although it will not say where. Sources suggest the aircraft have been placed with Northwest Airlines.
Varig is also negotiating the sale of three of the six 737-200s that are to go.
Pinto says the widebody disposals mean that 75 Varig pilots "are now available to the market".
Varig has dropped plans to lease two new Boeing 777-200s from March and April next year, although Pinto says it still expects to take the aircraft from late 2001.
Source: Flight International
