Brazilian regional airline Voepass Linhas Aéreas has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing financial strain exacerbated by its partnership with LATAM Airlines and regulatory challenges. The company reported a debt of approximately 209.2 million reais (about $36.78 million USD) and has accused LATAM of exerting excessive control over their codeshare agreement and failing to meet financial obligations. Tensions escalated after a fatal crash in August 2024, which led LATAM to suspend operations of four Voepass ATR aircraft and cease payments. The dispute is currently under arbitration.
In March 2025, Brazil’s aviation regulator ANAC suspended Voepass operations due to safety concerns, including non-compliance with established operating conditions. The airline must address these deficiencies to resume flights.
Voepass previously underwent bankruptcy proceedings between 2012 and 2017, during which it restructured its operations and finances. The current bankruptcy filing aims to reorganize its financial obligations and reinforce its capital structure. The company is focused on resuming operations and ensuring that its fleet meets safety standards.
The outcome of this bankruptcy filing and the ongoing arbitration with LATAM will significantly impact Voepass’s future operations and its role in Brazil’s regional aviation sector.
