Airlines Can Temporarily Utilize Coveted Voepass Slots at Congonhas and Guarulhos Airports
Starting May 11, airlines interested in strengthening their presence at São Paulo’s most congested airports can benefit from a temporary measure: the redistribution of slots (time slots) previously allocated to Voepass, which has been suspended since March. This arrangement will remain in effect until October 25, 2025.
What Is Being Released?
A total of 28 daily slots will be made available to other airlines:
- 20 slots at Congonhas, where Voepass accounted for just 3% of total operations but in an extremely high-demand airport.
- 8 slots at Guarulhos, the country’s primary international airport.
These takeoff and landing times can be used by other airlines that meet the regulatory criteria set by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), provided they demonstrate interest and the ability to operate regularly and safely.
Why Are These Slots Being Released?
The measure comes in response to Voepass’s failure to meet the minimum 80% regularity rate for its flights, as required by current regulations. Since the threshold was not met, Brazilian regulations allow these slots to be temporarily reassigned to other interested operators.
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The legal basis for this temporary redistribution lies in Resolution No. 682 and Decisions 533 and 534, all dated June 7, 2022, which regulate the use and monitoring of infrastructure at coordinated airports like Congonhas and Guarulhos.
A Suspension That Changes Everything
Since March 11, Voepass’s operations have been halted by a precautionary decision from Anac. The agency cited insufficient guarantees from the airline to meet required safety standards, particularly regarding the robustness of its operational management system.
Despite this, in March, Anac chose to provisionally retain Voepass’s slots, considering the possibility of a potential return in time to preserve its historical rights. However, to date, this return has not materialized.
How Does the Slot System Work in Brazil?
According to Anac, Brazil uses an internationally recognized slot coordination system for allocating slots at saturated airports. Only five airports in the country are subject to this regulation.
Slots are assigned in two seasons per year:
- Summer: March to October.
- Winter: October to March.
Each season is evaluated separately, allowing for comparisons under similar demand conditions. For example, summer 2025 results will only be compared to other summer seasons.
The Voepass slots now available do not grant historical rights to the airlines that take them; they only permit temporary use until the end of the season. For the next season, these slots will be formally reassigned by Anac, likely with the aim of attracting new players to the market.
For airlines already established or seeking to expand their presence in Brazil’s busiest airports, this is a unique—albeit time-limited—opportunity. Utilizing the available slots at Congonhas and Guarulhos not only increases immediate operational capacity but could also lay the groundwork for a stronger presence in future seasons when allocations are reconfigured.
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.