On January 15, Sao Paulo, Brazil-based GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., Latin America’s largest low-cost and low-fare airline, celebrated its ninth anniversary of beginning scheduled service.
During its first nine years of flying, the company increased its all-Boeing 737 fleet from six to 109 aircraft and has revolutionized Brazilian air travel by introducing fares competitive with those of Brazil’s long-haul bus companies, attracting more first-time passengers and members of Brazil’s new middle-class.
Today, with its GOL and VARIG brands, the group offers an extensive route network in South America with more than 800 flights per day to 59 destinations in nine countries.
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes says certain decisions were vital for the company’s success: operating a modern and standardized fleet of Boeing 737 New Generation aircraft; using the internet as the company’s main sales channel (this meant GOL has always relied on paperless tickets); focusing on innovation and technology to boost results; and investing in a highly efficient and committed team to guarantee excellence in service quality.
“We are proud to have transported more than 130 million passengers since the company was launched in 2001. Thanks to GOL, more people can travel by plane, the fastest, safest and most convenient transportation,” says Constantino de Oliveira Junior, CEO and co-founder of GOL. “We believe there are many more who have the conditions to fly but have not done so yet. In other words, we have a long growth trajectory ahead of us.”
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, Latin America's largets low-cist carrier, celebrated its ninth anniversary of scheduled services in January 2010. During the period, the airline's all-Boeing 737 fleet increased from six aircraft to 109
GOL says it marked its ninth year with a series of innovations and achievements, including:
● Lanching Buy on Board: in addition to regular services, clients can also buy various quality products on-board;
● Revitalizing its SMILES frequent flyer program, Latin America’s largest mileage program with 6.6 million participants. This year, the company announced partnerships with the frequent flyer programs of several major carriers, including Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue) and American Airlines’ AAdvantage. American has the largest number of flights to Brazil of any foreign carrier;
● Adding codeshare agreements: GOL closed new agreements with American Airlines, Air France-KLM, Iberia and Aeromexico.
● Beginning scheduled flights to Aruba, in the Caribbean. In addition to this route, GOL also offers charter flights to Curaçao and Punta Cana in association with tour operators and local governments.
● Expanding GOL’s Voe Facil program, which permits ticket payments in up to 36 installments and is now offered by travel agencies. The program launched its first Voe Facil store in one of the biggest middle-class shopping areas in Sao Paulo city; and
● Launching Gollog: GOL’s air cargo service announced the launch of Gollog Express, which offers door-to-door cargo deliveries with previously established deadlines.
“We are studying opportunities for further expanding our operations, launching flights in both the domestic market and high-traffic international centers,” says Oliveira Junior.
To celebrate GOL’s ninth anniversary, the company’s Documentation and History Center has launched a website with detailed information on GOL’s history. The website (www.voegol.com.br/memoria, available only in Portuguese) includes a detailed timeline, statistical data, information on awards granted to GOL, the company’s social responsibility efforts and technological innovations it has launched, as well as pictures of every aircraft operated by GOL and VARIG and a digitalized collection of on-board magazines.
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