TORONTO — Avianca Brasil is discontinuing its direct flights from New York and Miami to Sao Paulo (GRU) effective March 31.

The carrier filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2018, citing soaring fuel costs, currency fluctuations and Brazil’s sluggish economy for its financial troubles. Flights have continued despite the bankruptcy filling.

Now Avianca Brasil’s is notifying agents via its GSA in Canada, APG, that it will discontinue the direct flights from Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Santiago, Miami and New York at the end of March.

The airline says its focus is now on “guaranteeing the business’ sustainability” and reiterates that flights to all of its other 26 destinations remain and continue to operate regularly with 240+ daily flights.

Avianca Brasil says it is in contact with all clients who bought tickets on the impacted flights and says each case will be handled individually.