RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian air carrier Gol will resume flying the Boeing 737 Max aircraft from December 9th, making it the first airline in the world to do so, following the model’s 20-month grounding worldwide.
The carrier states that by the end of the year, all seven 737 Max 8 aircraft will be cleared to resume flying, and “will be gradually reincorporated into the company’s flight schedules in alignment with its operational needs.” Initially, the aircraft will operate domestic routes from Gol’s São Paulo hub.
Gol’s announcement comes less than a month after the U.S. cleared the Max jet to resume services after a worldwide grounding following two fatal crashes.
A week after the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision, Brazil’s civil aviation authority, ANAC, followed suit, lifting an order that had grounded the aircraft type in the country.
Gol is the only major Brazilian carrier with 737 Max operations, having operated the type since 2018.
Cirium fleets data shows the carrier has 107 aircraft on order, comprising 77 of the 737 Max 8 model and another 30 units of the larger Max 10.
Outlining plans leading up to resumption of service, Gol says it is conducting training for 140 pilots together with Boeing in the US, using a 737 Max simulator.
“[Gol] also completed a rigorous series of technical flights, which exceeded the requirements set out by aviation regulatory agencies,” it adds.
The 737 Max, still grounded in most parts of the world, will also resume flying with American Airlines on December 29th. The Fort Worth-based carrier recently disclosed plans for five employee-only flights on the 737 Max before its re-entry into service, in a bid to boost confidence following the grounding.