GOL and American Airlines expand their commercial cooperation

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, the largest airline in Brazil, announced the expansion of its commercial cooperation with American Airlines Group Inc. through an exclusive codeshare agreement ("Agreement") for the next three years, which will deepen the relationship between the two airlines. As part of the Agreement, GOL will receive a capital investment of US $ 200 million from the US company.

This exclusivity allows the Agreement to exceed the terms of the existing codeshare partnership between GOL and American, increasing travel opportunities for its passengers, as well as enhancing the Customer experience and GOL's competitive position on the routes that connect the Americas. from the South and the North. Effective February 2020, the existing codeshare represents the largest airline network in the Americas and allows Company Customers to conveniently connect to more than 30 destinations in the United States. The company's flights currently operate at GOL's hubs in São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), integrating 34 Brazilian and international route options, such as Montevideo, Uruguay.

The conclusion of the Contract and the investment in capital stock are subject to certain conditions, including the signing and delivery of the final documentation and other usual conditions for transactions of this size.

Exclusive codeshare
"The exclusive codeshare agreement between two of America's leading airlines combines highly complementary networks and offers Customers a superior travel experience provided by the largest number of flights and destinations in North and South America." GOL CEO Paulo Kakinoff said. "We believe this will further strengthen GOL's presence in international markets, accelerate our long-term growth, and maximize value for our shareholders. It also confirms our confidence in the Company's growth as the economy reopens and growth increases. travel demand ".

GOL's network serves 63 destinations in Brazil and 140 internationally through codeshare agreements. The Company recently confirmed that Cancun (Mexico) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) will be its first international routes to reopen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. GOL will begin operating flights on these routes in mid-November 2021.

Over the past 10 years, American has transported more than 14 million passengers between Brazil and the United States, which represents more than double the traffic of the second largest airline in the United States. The combination of the best Brazilian air network with American's leadership in the United States and Brazil market will maximize revenues through greater connectivity and better route options for Customers.

American Airlines President Robert Isom said: "American has long been the leading US airline in South America and our exclusive partnership with GOL solidifies that leadership position. GOL's strong national network in Brazil and, together, we will be able to offer customers flying to, within and from Brazil, access to the largest air network with the lowest rates, as well as the best and largest joint loyalty program for frequent fliers in the Americas. "

GOL's Smiles and American's AAdvantage loyalty programs will be partners in the largest joint frequent flyer program in the Americas, with superior benefits beginning in 2022. This will include program members access to numerous benefits, such as check -in priority, security inspection and boarding, greater checked baggage allowance, access to VIP lounges and preferential seats on both airlines. Customers will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles on any of the airlines.

The partnership between GOL and American also enables Customers to purchase connecting flights from both companies through a single reservation, as well as creating an extremely convenient ticketing, check-in, boarding and baggage handling experience throughout the trip.