Hapag-Lloyd market was planned in 2004. As part of that process, its business units other than the container line and cruise line were planned for divestiture. In 2008 TUI announced an intention to sell its entire stake in Hapag-Lloyd shipping activities before the end of that year. Industry speculation predicted a sale price of approximately $US5.9 billion. Hapag-Lloyd founded the charter airline Hapag-Lloyd Flug in 1972, buying a few Boeing 727s to fly its cruise passengers from Germany to the cruises' ports of call. The airline eventually added some regular passenger flights as well. Hapag-Lloyd Flug used the IATA code HF
Aero Geral region, which did not happen. McLaren found new business associates Custódio Netto Junior, also former pilot of Panair do Brasil, and Joaquim Fontes former station manager of Cruzeiro do Sul in Natal, and together they re-created the airline. Aero Geral was then authorized to operate regular flights between Natal and Santos along the coast. Services started in March 1947 using four amphibian Catalinas. In the following years a Curtiss C-46 Commando and two Douglas DC-3 were added to the fleet. On February 29, 1952 Aero Geral was sold to Varig. Varig thus greatly enlarged its operations in Brazil, extending services