Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
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.[4] 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.[5][6]
Not to be confused with GLO Airlines.IATA
2000
15 January 2001
12,669 - October 2, 2023[1]
Smiles
123
73
Abra Group
- Constantino de Oliveira Junior (Chairman)
- Constantino de Oliveira Senior
US$ -200.8 million (2018)
13,969 (2021)[3]
Gol competes in Brazil and other South American countries primarily with LATAM Brasil, and Azul. It also owns the brand Varig, 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.[7] The company was traded on the New York Stock Exchange as "GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A." from 2004 to 2024.[8]
The company's name is a Brazilian Portuguese word borrowing from the English word "goal" from Association football.[9] The company slogan is Nova Gol. Novos tempos no ar. (in Brazilian Portuguese); New Gol, New times on air. (in English).
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.
On a study conducted in 2011, Smiles ranked third among 24 chosen frequent flyer programs, with 97.1% success of requests made.[114]
In 2013, Smiles was spun off as an independent company eventually leading to its IPO at BOVESPA in April 2013.[115][116]