The Superintendency General of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (SG/Cade) in Brazil has decided that the code-sharing agreement announced between domestic airlines Gol and Azul in May 2024 should have been notified to the regulator.
The airlines now have until May 2026 to formalize the operation, facing potential fines if they continue their joint activities beyond this date without proper authorization. Until then, the companies are restricted from increasing the number of routes within their alliance, currently around 40.
The validation process for code-sharing, according to sources close to the agreement, will proceed independently of any steps taken by the groups to collaborate further.
Key Details
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Agreement Overview:
Gol and Azul announced in late 2024 an agreement creating over 2,700 one-stop travel opportunities.
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Regulatory Scrutiny:
The Brazilian regulator SG/Cade mandates that such agreements must be notified to them.
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Timeframe for Compliance:
Gol and Azul have until May 2026 to finalize the operation; any continuation beyond this date without approval could result in penalties.
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Market Position:
Gol and Azul are Brazil’s second and third largest airlines by passenger-km, holding around 30% of the market each, following LATAM. Gol has faced challenges since filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. earlier in 2025 due to significant debt and Boeing delivery delays.
