GOL to Launch Long-Haul Operations With New York Flights
Brazilian airline GOL is preparing to launch flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after positioning its first Airbus A330-200 at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport. The route will become the airline’s first destination in its new phase of long-haul growth.
GOL will operate the Rio de Janeiro–New York service with an Airbus A330-200 provided under a wet-lease agreement by Spanish airline Wamos Air, which is part of Abra Group.
The airline previously gained intercontinental experience through Varig operations. However, that structure was not sustainable under a low-cost carrier model. In this new phase, GOL is returning to the long-haul market under its own brand with a hybrid business model and the support of Abra Group.
GOL is also expected to add five Airbus A330-900 aircraft to its fleet in the second half of the year. These aircraft, previously operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas, are planned to be deployed on European routes.
