Brazilian airline's workers go on strike

Airline Industry Information, Sept 29, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Flights run by Brazil's fourth largest airline Vasp were cancelled on Tuesday (28 September) after 1,000 workers went on strike.

Salaries for August 2004 were not paid by the struggling airline and workers have said that they plan to strike for two days. Vasp said that it was looking at ways to raise the money.

Vasp has also been suffering due to its aging fleet with the Brazilian government grounding six Boeing 737s after they were found not to have detailed maintenance plans. The airline was forced to cancel flights and find seats for passengers on other flights.

The Brazilian government has announced that it is looking into ways to rescue Vasp along with two other domestic airlines, Varig and TAM, all of which are in severe financial trouble, reports The Associated Press.

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