The Brazilian carrier GOL signed a codeshare agreement and a frequent flyer partnership with Turkish Airlines, the airlines announced today. This new agreement allows passengers from the Turkish flag carrier to connect seamlessly with GOL’s entire network in Brazil and several destinations across South America. Let’s investigate further.
The new codeshare
On Tuesday, Turkish Airlines announced a new codeshare and frequent flyer partnership (FFP) agreement with GOL Linhas Aéreas. It is Turkish’s second partnership in the Latin American region, as it has another codeshare with Panama’s flag carrier, Copa Airlines.
Currently, Turkish Airlines operates daily flights to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). The flight, number TK15, is served onboard Turkish’s latest aircraft, the Airbus A350-900, with a capacity for 329 passengers in a two-class configuration (297 in economy and 32 in business).
GOL does not fly transoceanic routes. Its longest route served onboard its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet will be Brasilia-Orlando, set to resume next month.
With the codeshare agreement, passengers of Turkish Airlines will be able to purchase tickets for flights operated by GOL in Brazil.
The new agreement includes GOL’s complete domestic route map as well as flights to Asunción (Paraguay), Santiago (Chile), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Lima (Perú). Likewise, GOL’s passengers will have access to many destinations through Turkish Airlines’ hub in Istanbul.
A frequent flyer partnership
GOL and Turkish Airlines alliance also includes a new frequent flyer partnership. Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles and GOL’s SMILES members will gain access to accrual and redemption benefits o both airlines.
The FFP partnership will initially start with redemption; the accrual benefits will be launched at a later date.
Bilal Ekşi, Turkish Airlines CEO said,
“As Turkish Airlines, we are pleased to launch codeshare and FFP cooperation with GOL in São Paulo that will allow passengers unique travel alternatives via Istanbul to Brazilian domestic routes. They will enjoy FFP benefits with the new flight options along with a more convenient travel experience. By this opportunity, we also hope to make a contribution to the commercial relations between our respective countries.”
Meanwhile, Paulo Kakinoff, GOL’s president, said this agreement will provide another opportunity for the world to get to know the beauties of Brazil through the various Turkish Airlines connections.
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GOL has several codeshare agreements with airlines like American Airlines, Avianca, and Emirates.
GOL partnership with American and Mercado Livre
Last week, GOL announced the closing of the transaction with American Airlines. The US carrier invested US$200 million in GOL, acquiring a 5.3% participation in the Brazilian airline.
Through this investment, GOL and American expand beyond their existing codeshare partnership by “enhancing the travel opportunities for their passengers, the customer experience, and the competitive position of GOL on routes connecting North and South America.”
Finally, GOL and Mercado Livre announced a new long-term agreement in which GOL will operate cargo flights for the e-commerce company.
The deal includes six GOL Boeing 737-800 aircraft, of which three will start operating in the second half of 2022. GOL and Mercado Livre will reduce delivery time on specific routes by up to 80% by launching these freight services.
The jetliners destined for the operation are currently in GOL’s fleet. They will undergo a conversion process to freighters, becoming B737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) aircraft.
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