The istrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) released last Monday (21/03), without restrictions, the approval of American Airlines' equity investment in GOL Linhas Aéreas.
The purpose of the operation is to expand the current commercial cooperation relationship with the offer of flights on the Brazil – United States corridor. The decision authorizing the operation is available in today's edition of the Official Gazette (DOU).
Since March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, Gol suspended its flights on the Brazil – United States route, expected to be gradually resumed until 2023. American Airlines, in turn, not only suspended, but also canceled some flights to Brazil. With the operation, airlines will be able to increase the offer of trips between countries.
To enable the expansion of the existing partnership, the companies agreed to implement exclusivity clauses in relation to the codeshare agreement, interline and frequent flyer programs, as well as commercial exclusivity obligations in relation to tariffs and network availability.
In its dispatch, Cade's General Superintendence understood that the activities of Gol and American Airlines are complementary, with Gol's low participation in the offer of flights between Brazil and the United States, while competitors Azul and Latam have strategic alliances or partnerships established with United Airlines and Delta Airlines, respectively. Thus, the operation has the potential to increase competition with more flights on this air corridor, and was approved without restrictions.
If CADE's Tribunal does not call the concentration act for analysis or if an interested third party does not file an appeal within 15 days, the Superintendence's decision will be final and the operation will be definitively approved by the antitrust body.
Street: istrative Council for Economic Defense - CADE
