Azul and GOL have announced a commercial cooperation agreement that will connect their air networks in Brazil through a codeshare. This agreement includes exclusive domestic routes, meaning operated by one of the two companies and not the other.
The agreement also covers loyalty programs, allowing members of Azul Fidelidade and Smiles to accumulate points or miles in the program of their choice when purchasing segments included in the codeshare.
This comes as GOL Linhas Aéreas is in a delicate financial situation, undergoing a judicial recovery process in the United States under Chapter 11. In March there had even been rumors about Azul’s alleged intentions to take over GOL.
In 2023, GOL had a 33.3% share of the domestic offer (RPK) in Brazil, while Azul was responsible for 27.5% (the first place was occupied by LATAM with 38.7%).
According to the airlines, “this agreement will bring enormous benefits to our customers,” said Abhi Shah, president of Azul. Shah added that, with Azul’s highly connected network serving most cities in Brazil, and GOL’s strong presence in the main Brazilian markets, “our complementary offers will provide customers with the widest range of travel options.”
The offer will be available on both companies’ sales channels starting at the end of June. Consumers will be able to benefit from hundreds of new domestic routes, as well as more convenient connection opportunities, such as from Brasilia to Tabatinga with a brief stop in Manaus, or from Rio de Janeiro to Marabá with a stop in Belém.
Celso Ferrer, CEO of GOL, stated: “GOL and Azul have always been committed to expanding the Brazilian aviation market. This codeshare agreement will provide customers with even more options to travel across our country.”
Azul and GOL, which together operate around 1,500 daily departures, estimate that the agreement will generate more than 2.700 travel opportunities with just one connection.
Passengers will be able to search for exclusive domestic segments from one or the other company and purchase them through the sales channels of Azul and GOL, thus finding a greater possibility of destinations.
Points and miles related to codeshare segments purchased on the other airline’s digital channels can be accumulated in Azul Fidelidade or Smiles, according to the customer’s choice.
Check-in must be done in the digital channels or at the airport counters of the airline that operates the flight or the first segment in the case of connecting flights, regardless of the company that sold the ticket. In connecting flights, the customer will receive all boarding passes for their trip at check-in.
Baggage check will follow the same rule as check-in and must be done with the airline that operates the flight or the first segment. The baggage will be delivered at the final destination, regardless of the connection with the other company.
Rescheduling and cancellations of reservations must be handled with the company that sold the ticket. Additional facilities and optional items, such as special seats and checked baggage, as well as the benefits of loyalty programs and cargo transportation, will remain under the pre-established rules of each company and must be observed by customers.
