Airline Receives Multimillion-Dollar Waiver on Fees from the State

The federal government granted a multimillion-dollar discount for the payment of debts related to air navigation and other fiscal obligations. This benefit included a significant reduction in the owed amount, which dropped from $1.1 billion to $250 million, according to Revista Veja. The 77% discount was applied to various debts accumulated with public entities, including air navigation fees managed by the Air Force.

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The Brazilian company GOL Linhas Aéreas, currently in the final stage of its Judicial Recovery process in the United States under Chapter 11, was the beneficiary of this renegotiation. Among the forgiven debts is a significant amount owed to the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), part of the Brazilian Air Force.

See also: GOL presents its reorganization plan under Chapter 11

In total, the discount amounted to approximately $850 million, equivalent to 5 billion reais in debt reduction. Within this package, GOL had a debt of $117 million (704 million reais) with the Brazilian Air Force, stemming from accumulated air navigation fees, interest, and penalties for late payments.

These fees fund essential services for airspace control, such as the operation of radars, radios, weather stations, aeronautical charts, and flight plan systems. In theory, the non-payment of these fees could have prevented the company’s aircraft from continuing operations.

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The remaining amount of $250 million will be paid in installments over the next 10 years. However, the portion related to social security debts must be settled in a shorter period, with a deadline until 2030.

Originally published by our Brazilian partner outlet, AEROIN.