RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Gol, Brazil’s largest airline, has announced that it is suspending all its flights abroad as of March 23rd. The measure, scheduled to be in force until June 30th, aims to “ensure the safety of customers and employees” and “to adjust operations to the new demand scenario for air transport”, according to a press release.
Airlines worldwide are suffering from a sharp drop in passenger numbers due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic. The Brazilian Airlines Association (ABEAR) estimates that demand for domestic flights in Brazil has dropped 30 percent, and 50 percent for international flights.
The Brazilian airline companies’ plight is even more dramatic given the appreciation of the dollar, which dtermines the price of aviation fuel, even that produced in Brazil. The US currency has already appreciated 26 percent against the Brazilian real this year and had exceeded R$5 on Wednesday, almost R$1 up from a year ago.
In addition to slashing flights abroad, Gol estimates that it will reduce its offer of domestic flights by between 50 and 60 percent. In total, the company expects to reduce its operations between 60 and 70 percent by mid-June.
After the announcement, the market value of GOL shares plummeted in the B3 Brazilian stock market. At 4:50 PM, it was down 28 percent to R$2.8 billion, with the stock quoted at R$8.06, while the IBOVESPA index was up 5.3 percent. This year, the GOL stock has already lost 78.3 percent.
Confirm the dates and destinations on which each international Gol route will be interrupted:
Argentina
Galeão (GIG)-Córdoba (COR) – flight 7613 – last operation: March 22nd
Galeão (GIG)-Rosário (ROS) – flight 7617 – last operation: March 22nd
Galeão (GIG)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 20th
Guarulhos (GRU)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 21st
Guarulhos (GRU)-Mendoza (MDZ) – last operation: March 19th
Recife (REC)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 14th
Natal (NAT)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 16th
Salvador (SSA)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 14th
Fortaleza (FOR)-Ezeiza (EZE) – last operation: March 14th
Bolivia
(Guarulhos) GRU-Santa Cruz de La Sierra (VVI) – last operation: March 19th
Chile
Guarulhos (GRU)-Santiago (SCL) – (flights 7660 and 7663) – last operation: March 20th
Guarulhos (GRU)-Santiago (SCL) – flight 7662 – last operation: March 20th; and flight 7661 (SCL-GRU) – last operation: March 21st
Santiago (SCL)-Guarulhos (GRU) – last operation: March 21st
Recife (REC)-Santiago (SCL) – last operation: March 14th
Ecuador
Guarulhos (GRU)-Quito (UIO) – last operation: March 15th
United States
Brasília (BSB)-Orlando (MCO) – last operation: March 20th
Fortaleza (FOR)-Orlando (MCO) – last operation: March 20th
Manaus (MAO)-Orlando (MCO) – last operation: March 14th
Brasília (BSB)-Miami (MIA) – last operation: March 19th
Mexico
Brasília (BSB)-Cancún (CUN) – last operation: March 20th
Paraguay
Asuncion (ASU)-Guarulhos (GRU) – last operation: March 20th
Peru
Guarulhos (GRU)-Lima (LIM) – last operation: March 15th
Dominican Republic
Guarulhos (GRU)-Punta Cana (PUJ) – last operation: March 21st
Suriname
Belém (BEL)-Paramaribo (PBM) – last operation: March 7th
Uruguay
Recife (REC)-Montevideo (MVD) – last operation: March 21st
Guarulhos (GRU)-Montevideo (MVD) – flight 7632 – last operation: March 20th; flight 7727 – last operation: March 21st
Guarulhos (GRU)-Montevideo (MVD) – flights 7630 and 7631 – last operation: March 21st
Galeão (GIG)-Montevideo (MVD) – last operation: March 19th
In case of queries, Gol urges customers to contact the company through its website, the App or by phone to 0300 115 2121.