L.A.T.B. (Linha Aerea Transcontinental Brasileira )

L.A.T.B. (Linha Aerea Transcontinetal Brasiliera) was founded in 1944 [REAL was formed in 1946 as REDES ESTADUAIS AEREAS by a former VASP pilot, Linneu Gomes in Sao Paulo. Flew it’s first flight with a DC3 in 1946 to Rio. Renamed to REAL TRANSPORTES AEREOS in 1946 after becoming a corporation. Amalgamated with LINHAS AEREAS WRIGHT and LINHAS AEREAS NATAL in 1949. Further expansion happened in 1951 when L.A.T.B. was purchased. International routes started in 1951. 1954 saw the purchase of 87% of Aerovias Brazil (which continued it’s own name). Around this time AERONORTE was taken over. 85% of Nacional was purchased in 1956 (again retained own identity). Later in 1956 saw the formation of the REAL consotium which started rationalisation of routes and aircraft. In 1961 Aerovias BRAZIL was taken over by VARIG and shorlty after the consortium merged into VARIG] [VARIG-VRG was formed by the GOL obtaining a cotrolling stake in a failing Varig. VARIG was founded by a German immigrant (Otto Ernst Meyer). The airline expanded by the acquisition of AERO GERAL in 1951. Acquired REAL Consortium in 1961 making it largest airline in South America. Acquired CRUZEIRO do SUL in 1975. Ceased operating late 2006 but restarted in 2007]