Summary
- Air France-KLM and GOL Linhas Aéreas have prolonged their industrial partnership for the following ten years, granting one another exclusivity on routes between Europe and Brazil.
- Customers will profit from an optimized network between Europe and Brazil, with access to over 80 European destinations and 45 destinations in Brazil, in addition to potential latest destinations across Latin America.
- The agreement also includes expanded codesharing, joint sales activities, and maintenance support from Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance for GOL’s CFM56 and LEAP engines.
Air France-KLM and the Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas announced on Thursday they’ve signed an agreement to increase and enhance their industrial partnership for the following ten years.
An enhanced partnership
The industrial alliance between Air France-KLM and GOL was launched first in 2014 for a period of 5 years (then renewed for five additional years in 2019). Now, the partnership has been prolonged until 2033. Under the terms of this agreement, each parties will grant one another exclusivity on routes between Europe and Brazil while also improving customers’ experience and creating a fair more seamless product, they said in an announcement.
Photo: Thiago B Trevisan | Shutterstock
Customers will profit from an optimized network between Europe and Brazil, spanning over 80 European destinations, 45 destinations in Brazil, and, in the long run, latest destinations across Latin America, said the businesses in an announcement. In accordance with Cirium, GOL currently offers Air France-KLM’s customers flights to nine international routes across South America, connecting destinations similar to Asunción, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Punta Cana, amongst others.
Air France and KLM passengers can connect on GOL flights beyond São Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and Fortaleza (FOR). GOL passengers even have access to Air France and KLM’s worldwide networks beyond their Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and Amsterdam Schiphol airport hubs. This winter season, Air France is working 24 weekly flights to Brazil (14 weekly to São Paulo, seven weekly to Rio de Janeiro, and three weekly to Fortaleza). KLM has 14 weekly flights to the South American country (seven weekly to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro each).
The agreement moreover includes expanded codesharing, enhanced joint sales activities, and more advantages for patrons via Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue and GOL’s SMILES frequent flyer programs.
Maintenance support
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance will proceed to support and provides maintenance to GOL’s CFM56 and LEAP engines, they announced on Thursday. Moreover, they’ll expect an ambitious expansion of the present maintenance support.
In accordance with data from ch-aviation, GOL Linhas Aéreas has 202 CFM56 engines and 78 LEAP engines. The Brazilian company has a fleet of 140 Boeing 737-family-based aircraft fleet.
The talk of the CEOs
Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM, said that South America, and particularly Brazil, is a strategic marketplace for the airline duo. He added that the historical partnership with GOL has been instrumental for them to supply a comprehensive and broad value proposition within the region.
Meanwhile, Celso Ferrer, GOL’s CEO, said this latest decade of partnership will crown an extended and successful history by including key elements similar to the credit line for engine overhauls. GOL Linhas Aéreas also offers codeshare partnerships with American Airlines, Air Canada, Aeromexico, Aerolíneas Argentinas, avianca, Copa Airlines, TAAG, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Air Europa.
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