The Brazilian civil aviation authority (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil - ANAC) has grounded Avianca Brasil (São Paulo Congonhas) effective Friday, May 24, in what it termed was a "precautionary" move.

The regulator said in a statement that it had taken the decision based on information provided by its flight safety department. As such, the grounding will remain in effect until the airline is able to prove it has the capacity to safely sustain its operations.

Avianca Brasil's fleet has dwindled to just five active aircraft namely three A318-100s and two A319-100s. It is currently undergoing a protracted judicial restructuring process whose outcome is now uncertain.