Developing: Brazil’s startup airline Itapemirim temporarily suspends operations

This story is still in developement as information is very initial. Updates about this event will be uploaded here in Aviacionline as more information is out.

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The new adventure of Itapemirim Transportes Aéreos, better known in Brazil as ITA, the country’s newest airline, did not last long, as the company announced it is «temporarily suspending» its operations. The information was confirmed by the airline in a communication to the press.

Questions about the company’s cash position were being raised over the last number of months. AEROIN affirms that the halt was triggered by the handling company Orbital, that serves Itapemirim in São Paulo/Guarulhos – its main base – and Belo Horizonte/Confins airports, due to lack of payments.

Currently ITA has four aircraft flying, three of them directed to Guarulhos, according to FlightRadar24. The fourth is expected to take-off from Brasília to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão shortly, in what could be ITA’s last flight in this chapter of the airline.

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ITA affirms that the decision was due to «necessity of operational adjustments» and that all affected passengers should be attended according to the resolution of ANAC – the country’s civil aviation regulator – which, according to ITA, was already informed of the decision.

Upon the release of this article, ITA’s website looked «business as usual», despite the situation, still with no notice to the customers.

However, the airline’s booking engine does not show any flights anymore.