Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
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Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A ("Gol Intelligent Airlines S.A." also known as VRG Linhas Aéreas S/A) is a Brazilian low-cost airline based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<ref name=HQ/> According to the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), between January and December 2019, Gol had 37.7% of the domestic and 3.8% of the international market shares in terms of passenger-kilometers flown, making it the largest domestic and third largest international airline in Brazil.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gol competes in Brazil and other South American countries primarily with LATAM Brasil and Azul. It also owned the brand Varig between 2007 and 2013, although now that name refers to what is informally known as the "new" Varig, founded in 2006, not to the extinct "old" Varig airline, founded in 1927.
Gol operates a growing domestic and international scheduled network. Its main hubs are São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport and Tancredo Neves International Airport near Belo Horizonte. Gol also has focus operations at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, and Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre. Gol refers to itself as GOL Intelligent Airlines (GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes in Portuguese) as a slogan.<ref>Home Page (International), Gol Transportes Aéreos. 4 January 2007. Retrieved on 14 June 2009.</ref> The company was traded on the New York Stock Exchange as "GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A." from 2004 to 2024.<ref>"GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. Template:Webarchive," NYSE Euronext</ref>
The company's name is a Brazilian Portuguese word borrowing from the English word "goal" from association football.<ref name="Deseret">Template:Cite news</ref> The company slogan is Nova Gol. Novos tempos no ar. Template:In lang; New Gol. New times in the air. Template:In lang.
It is informed the debt of company until final July 2024 totals R$ 29.1 billion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
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The airline was established in 2000 as Gol Transportes Aéreos S.A. and started operations on 15 January 2001 with a flight from Brasília to São Paulo.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It is a subsidiary of the Brazilian conglomerate Grupo Áurea, based in Minas Gerais state, which has other transportation interests, including Brazil's largest long-distance bus company. Grupo Áurea in turn is owned by the Constantino family. Constantino Júnior was responsible for building the business next to the vice president of the company, David Barioni.<ref name="IstoE">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Exame">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In 2007, Gol was owned by AeroPar Participações (75.5%), Venture (17.6%), American International Group (5.4%) and Air France-KLM (1.5%).<ref name="FI">Template:Cite news</ref> The growth in GOL's stock price made the Constantino family a member of the Forbes magazine billionaire list in 2005.
In 2007, Gol was supposed to begin a code-share agreement with TAP Portugal, opening the European market to the Brazilian airline, and the internal Brazilian market to the Portuguese airline (the largest foreign airline in Brazil). Instead, TAP Portugal chose to cooperate with TAM Airlines.<ref name="Avionews">Template:Cite web</ref>
On 24 February 2010, Gol announced it was in "advanced talks" to join the Oneworld alliance,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which would allow it to catch up with rival TAM, a recent member of Star Alliance. However, on 6 October 2010, the airline announced a change in position by denying any interest in joining an alliance, preferring to remain independent and to establish a "patchwork of code-sharing agreements.".<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Following this trend, on 28 September 2011, Gol and Aerolíneas Argentinas announced the intention to implement a codeshare, feeder and frequent flyer programs agreement on a date yet to be announced and pending approval from the governments of Brazil and Argentina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 18 March 2010, Gol unveiled the expansion of its maintenance base located at Belo Horizonte/Confins - Tancredo Neves International Airport. Originally opened in 2006 with the capacity to service 60 aircraft per year (mainly Boeing 737 and 767), the expansion allowed Gol to increase the number to 120.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gol later started also using the base to service aircraft from other airlines, and as of 2013, it also serviced airplanes from Azul Brazilian Airlines and Copa Airlines.<ref name="falandodeviagem">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 23 December 2010, Gol Airlines started an operational partnership with Brazilian carrier Passaredo Linhas Aéreas. The agreement was rescinded on 31 July 2014, when Passaredo established a similar interline agreement with TAM Airlines instead.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 7 December 2011, Gol announced the intention of Delta Air Lines to purchase 3% of its shares.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The agreement also includes the creation of mutual code-share flights, alignment of frequent flyer benefits and transfer of GOL's Boeing 767s lease agreements to Delta.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 1 October 2012, Gol confirmed a firm order of 60 Boeing 737 MAXs. References did not specify the type of MAX aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 6 October 2012, Gol started seasonal operations at Miami and Orlando, which are available for Smiles account holders and originated in Brazil only. Technically, they are considered charter flights, although they are not necessarily part of an inclusive tour package; the use of miles or miles plus money is mandatory, as well as a minimum 7-day stay at the destination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February 2014, Air France–KLM announced it would invest $100 million in Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes in advance of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Some disagreement exists about whether Gol is a low-cost carrier. In 2014, Gol was ranked the second-best low-cost airline in South America after Azul.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gol refers to itself as a low-cost carrier, but it is increasingly not regarded as such. According to UFRJ specialist Elton Fernandes, "GOL's costs are not very different from those of TAM Airlines. People are accustomed to calling Gol low-cost, but Gol is not that. It is not even low-fare anymore.".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 26 September 2019, Delta announced that it will exit its minority stake in GOL, following Delta acquiring 20% stake of LATAM Airlines Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 11 May 2022, it was announced that Gol would merge with Avianca to form the Abra Group, which would own both companies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Celso Ferrer became the CEO of the Brazilian airline 1 July 2022.Template:Update inline<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In March 2023, Gol reduced frequencies in Fortaleza as well as cancelled the Fortaleza airline's hub.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In January 2024, Gol prepared to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, stating that the airline has been struggling with high debt and recently hired Seabury Capital to help it in a broad capital structure review. As a result, the company's shares tumbled as much as 13% or 27% at Ibovespa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 24 January 2024, Gol sought US$950 million in financing to fund itself during its bankruptcy procedures.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 25 January 2024, Gol declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York to bounce back from high debt costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the bankruptcy procedure, Gol continued to operate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gol declared more than US$8.3 billion in debt as well as a summe of more than R$40 billion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following, Fitch, S&P and Moody downgraded Gol's rating,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gol lied and owes more than R$1.1 billion to the Air Force and admitted it did not paid air navigation fees in Brazil<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Gol (GOLL4) studied measures against Latam for trying to take over planes. According to Gol's lawyers, Latam had sent letters to the lessors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Debt with Workers is more than R$1.3 billion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> R$420 million in judicial processes in Brazil.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Banco do Brasil and Bradesco questioned Gol's DIP Financing guarantees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Purchase of Varig
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On 28 March 2007, Gol officially purchased part of the assets of VARIG - VRG Linhas Aéreas, informally known as the "new Varig," a new company that owned the Varig brand, for US$320 million from Volo Group and MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities hedge fund. At that time, the "old Varig" was under bankruptcy protection. Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA posted a first-quarter loss of 3.5 million Reais (2 million US dollars) after revenues of 1.6 billion Reais (one billion US dollars).
Gol announced that the Varig brand would continue doing business operating as such, rather than its official name VRG Linhas Aéreas.<ref>Former Brazilian Flagship Airline Bought 28 March 2007</ref> The transaction, via its GTI subsidiary, required a US$98 million cash payment, with the balance through the allocation of non-voting shares to VARIG Logística and Volo, which had acquired VARIG in June 2006 for US$24 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The transaction did not involve the original airline, informally known as "old Varig," which continued to exist until its bankruptcy in mid-2010 under the name Flex Linhas Aéreas.
In 2009, Gol was merged into VRG Linhas Aéreas. VRG Linhas Aéreas thus became an airline that operates two brands: Gol and Varig, although in reality flights are operated only under Gol flight numbers. Initially, the Varig brand operated to medium-haul scheduled and charter international destinations within South America and to the Caribbean with Boeing 737-700s configured in two classes, and to long-haul charter international destinations in North America, Europe and Africa with Boeing 767-300ERs configured in economy only. The latter was also used in wet-lease operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This scheme was later dropped. The brand Gol operates most of the flights of the network and has aircraft configured in all-economy class, used for scheduled domestic and international operations within South America.
Because of contractual obligations, between 2006 and 2009 the "new Varig" (VRG Linhas Aéreas) was obliged to purchase a minimum of 140 hours/month of services from the "old Varig" (Flex Linhas Aéreas). Therefore, at that time, some of VRG Linhas Aéreas flights operated with Gol flight numbers but were actually flown with chartered aircraft from Flex Linhas Aéreas. The agreement ceased before the bankruptcy of Flex on 20 August 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Purchase of Webjet Linhas Aéreas
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On 9 July 2011, VRG Linhas Aéreas, owner of the brands Gol and Varig, announced the intention to purchase full control of WebJet Linhas Aéreas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The purchase contract was signed on 2 August 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 10 October 2012, the purchase received its final approval with some operational restrictions from the Brazilian regulatory agency.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Services were integrated but both companies continued to operate independently for some weeks.<ref name="Andrade">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="O Globo">Template:Cite news</ref> Integration started on 17 October 2012 when sales requested via Webjet's web-portal started to be redirected to GOL's site.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, on 23 November 2012, Webjet abruptly ceased to operate and all services were incorporated by GOL. The Webjet brand ceased to exist.<ref name="Andrade" /><ref name="O Globo" /> Gol also announced its intention to return all of Webjet's Boeing 737-300s to lessors until the end of the first quarter of 2013. There was no mention to the fate of Webjet's 737-800s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Partnership with TwoFlex
[edit]On 12 April 2019, Gol announced an adapted Essential Air Service partnership with TwoFlex in which the latter would operate feeder services on behalf of Gol in the States of Amazonas, Pará and Mato Grosso using the Cessna 208 Caravan. The flights are marketed by Gol in its reservation platform but operated by TwoFlex and integrated into the network of Gol. This partnership greatly increased the number of Gol destinations in these three States.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> However, on 14 January 2020, Azul Brazilian Airlines signed an agreement to purchase Twoflex.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 27 March 2020, the Brazilian regulatory bodies gave the nihil obstat to the purchase<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and sale of flights started on 14 April 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> thus ending the partnership.
Purchase of MAP Linhas Aéreas
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On 8 June 2021, Gol Linhas Aéreas announced the purchase of MAP Linhas Aéreas from Voepass Linhas Aéreas. The transaction included 26 slots at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport belonging to MAP and Voepass. MAP's Amazonian operations and much of its fleet would be transferred to Voepass.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Between August 2021 and May 2023, Gol and Voepass had an operational agreement in which the latter operated certain routes for the former.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Corporate affairs
[edit]The key trends for Gol are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Revenue (R$ b) |
Net profit (R$ b) |
Number of employees (FTE) |
Number of passengers (m) |
Passenger load factor (%) |
Total number of aircraft |
References | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.9 | 0.21 | 17,963 | 28.4 | 63.6 | 125 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2011 | 7.5 | −0.75 | 18,776 | 32.9 | 66.7 | 150 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2012 | 8.1 | −1.5 | 17,726 | 39.1 | 70.2 | 148 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2013 | 8.9 | −0.72 | 16,319 | 36.3 | 69.9 | 150 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2014 | 10.0 | −1.1 | 16,875 | 39.7 | 76.9 | 144 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2015 | 9.7 | −4.2 | 16472 | 38.8 | 77.2 | 144 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2016 | 9.7 | 1.1 | 15,261 | 32.6 | 77.5 | 130 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2017 | 10.3 | 0.37 | 14,532 | 32.5 | 80.1 | 119 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2018 | 11.4 | −0.77 | 15,259 | 33.4 | 80.0 | 121 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2019 | 13.8 | 0.17 | 16,113 | 36.4 | 82.0 | 137 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2020 | 6.3 | −5.9 | 13,899 | 16.7 | 80.1 | 127 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2021 | 7.4 | −7.1 | 13,969 | 18.8 | 82.0 | 135 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2022 | 15.1 | −1.5 | 14,048 | 27.2 | 80.0 | 146 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2023 | 18.7 | −1.2 | 13,837 | 30.8 | 82.0 | 141 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Destinations
[edit]As of December 2024, Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes serves the following destinations:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Additionally, Gol operates dedicated executive bus services between São Paulo airports for its passengers and affiliate airlines:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Codeshare agreements
[edit]Gol has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:<ref name="Gol Parceiras">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Abaeté Aviação<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeroméxico
- Air Canada
- Air France<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- American Airlines<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Avianca<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Copa Airlines
- KLM
- Royal Air Maroc<ref>https://en.7news.ma/royal-air-maroc-and-gol-airlines-join-forces-with-new-codeshare-agreement/</ref>
- South African Airways<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- TAAG Angola Airlines<ref>https://aeroin.net/gol-e-taag-anunciam-acordo-historico-de-compartilhamento-de-voos/?amp</ref>
- Turkish Airlines<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fleet
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Current fleet
[edit]Template:As of, Gol operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet composed of the following aircraft:<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y+ | Y | Total | ||||
| Template:Nowrap | 12 | — | 42 | 104 | 144 | |
| Template:Nowrap | 65 | — | 36 | 150 | 186 | |
| Template:Nowrap | 55 | 90<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 39 | 144 | 180 | Order with 100 options and 100 purchase rights.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> PR-XMR in sustainability livery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 42 | 144 | 186 | ||||
| Template:Nowrap | – | 30<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | colspan="3" Template:TBA | |||
| Gol Cargo fleet | ||||||
| Template:Nowrap | 7 | — | Cargo | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Total | 139 | 120 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
Former fleet
[edit]Gol formerly operated the following aircraft:Template:Citation needed
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-300 | 15 | 2004 | 2011 | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 73 | 2002 | 2025 | One crashed as Flight 1907. |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 1 | 2008 | 2010 |
Airline Affinity Program
[edit]Smiles is GOL/Varig's Frequent-flyer program since 20 July 2006. Points can be used for services from GOL/Varig, and partners Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Iberia, KLM, Qatar Airways and TAP Air Portugal, including flights, upgrades, holidays, hotel stays and car rentals. Smiles was part of the "new Varig" package bought by GOL, which honored all miles and eventually became its own frequent-flyer program. Previously Gol had no such program.Template:Citation needed
On a study conducted in 2011, Smiles ranked third among 24 chosen frequent flyer programs, with 97.1% success of requests made.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2013, Smiles was spun off as an independent company eventually leading to its IPO at BOVESPA in April 2013.<ref name="SMLERI">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="EXAME">Template:Cite web</ref>
Accidents and incidents
[edit]- On 29 September 2006, Flight 1907, operated by a Boeing 737-800 SFP (Short Field Performance) registered as PR-GTD, disappeared from radar while flying over the central-western state of Mato Grosso en route from Manaus to Brasília and Rio de Janeiro-Galeão. The aircraft collided in mid-air with an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet registered N600XL, near the town of Matupá, Template:Convert south of Manaus. The Gol aircraft broke up in mid-air and crashed in the Amazon rainforest, leaving no survivors among its 154 occupants. The wreckage was found a day later. The Legacy jet landed safely at Cachimbo Airport, part of the Brigadeiro Velloso Test Range of the Brazilian Air Force, with damage to the tail and left winglet. As of 2025, Flight 1907 is the only fatal accident in the airline's history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- On 29 April 2022, a Gol Linhas Aéreas Boeing 737 registered as PR-GUQ collided with an Azul Brazilian Airlines Embraer E195 while taxiing at Viracopos International Airport after landing from Santos Dumont Airport. Nobody was injured, with damage only caused to the 737's left winglet and the E195's tailcone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- On 11 February 2025, Flight G3-1674 using a 737 MAX 8, registration PS-GPP collided with a maintenance car while accelerating for takeoff at Galeão Airport of Rio de Janeiro. The aircraft aborted and came to a standstill and the passengers left the plane normally. No injuries were reported.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Airlines of Brazil Template:Brazil topics Template:Ibovespa companies Template:IATA members Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- Gol Transportes Aéreos
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- Companies based in São Paulo
- Companies listed on B3 (stock exchange)
- Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024
- Airlines established in 2000
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- Low-cost carriers
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- Airlines of Brazil