Judge Sentences Companies and Government for Air Chaos in 2006

07/16/2014 - 09h26

São Paulo Federal Court sentenced the government, ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency), Infraero (the state company managing airports), TAM, Gol and Avianca, and other companies, to pay damages for the "chaos" occurred in Brazil in 2006.

There is room to appeal the decision, at first instance.

Compensation is at US$ 4.5 million, to be divided between the sentenced companies and transferred to a "repair fund for damages to society and collectively suffered," says the ruling.

The so-called "air chaos" happened between October and December 2006.

It all started when the military air traffic controllers engaged in a mutiny for better working conditions created many flight delays, causing crowded airports and left passengers without information on flights.

The mutiny came following the accident in which a Legacy jet crashed with a Gol Boeing on September 29 of that year, killing 154 people.

During the "air chaos", the index of average daily delays in Brazil exceeded 50%. Today, in contrast, is less than 10%.

Since then, Anac edited booklets for passengers and, in 2010, a resolution that require companies to assist passengers one hour after delay or flight cancellation, otherwise risk receiving a fine.

TAM and Gol said they will speak in the trial. ANAC said it will comment when notified. Infraero said it will appeal and Avianca has not comment yet.

The decision also sentences Varig and BRA (bankrupted), Pantanal (incorporated to TAM) and Total, a company Folha could not get in touch. The lawsuit was filed by consumer protection agencies.

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