Air France-KLM and GOL Linhas Aéreas have entered into an agreement that will bolster their commercial partnership over the next decade. This agreement, seen as a milestone in their relationship, will grant both companies mutual exclusivity on routes connecting Brazil with Europe.
The history of this partnership dates back to 2014 when Air France-KLM and GOL initiated a commercial collaboration initially set for a five-year period. However, in 2019, both companies decided to renew this agreement, covering 99% of the demand on routes between Brazil and Europe. Since its inception, over two million passengers have reaped the benefits of this partnership.
The current agreement spans a total of 125 destinations, with 80 in Europe and 45 in Brazil. Furthermore, the collaboration is expected to expand to include destinations in Latin America. Planned enhancements include the expansion of codeshare agreements, optimization of joint sales strategies, and a range of additional advantages for customers through the frequent flyer programs: Flying Blue by Air France-KLM and Smiles by GOL.
An important aspect of this alliance is the expansion of maintenance support provided by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance for the CFM56 engines that power the 737 NG fleet and the LEAP engines that propel GOL’s new 737 MAX.
The CEO of Air France-KLM, Benjamin Smith, expressed, «South America, and particularly Brazil, is one of the most strategic markets for Air France-KLM. The historical partnership between Air France-KLM and GOL has been crucial in enabling us to offer our customers a comprehensive and extensive value proposition in the region.»
«Building on what we’ve already achieved, we are delighted to expand and deepen this exclusive partnership for another 10 years. This new agreement will allow us to implement the necessary structural improvements to secure Air France-KLM and GOL’s leadership position between Brazil and Europe,» he added.
GOL CEO Celso Ferrer said that «Our partnership with Air France-KLM has delivered numerous enhancements and benefits for all our customers and is built on the mutual trust and admiration of both companies.»
«We are proud to celebrate another decade of partnership, and I believe it crowns a long and successful history, including key elements such as the line of credit for engine inspections. I reiterate that GOL is deeply committed to supporting and strengthening the Brazil-Europe corridor, and we have no doubt that Air France-KLM is the best partner to achieve this,» Ferrer added.
