Together, companies transported 57.4 million passengers in 2024 and have a fleet of more than 300 planes
If the merger of with the is approved, the two companies will have more than 60% of the Brazilian market and will create a giant in the airline sector.
In 2024, companies transported 57.4 million passengers to Brazilian destinations. This represents 61,4% of the total. It transported 35 million (37.5%).
In terms of takeoffs, Azul led last year, with 290.1 thousand. This result is explained because the company operates in many sparsely populated destinations and with small planes. GOL recorded 204.3 thousand takeoffs in the period. And Latam, 238.1 thousand.
As for the fleet, they have, together, 327 planes, according to the latest information released by each company in press releases or financial statements. The data varies due to technical reasons (some models go out of operation and others are purchased, for example). In the event of a merger, the companies would occupy by far the top of ranking largest fleet. The has 163 aircraft.
Today, the 3 largest companies (Latam, Azul and GOL) hold 98.9% of domestic passenger transport.
NEGOTIATION FOR MERGER
Abra (owner of GOL) and Azul on Wednesday (15 January 2024) signed a memorandum of understanding that could lead to the merger of the companies.
This process still depends on approval from the (National Civil Aviation Agency) and the (Administrative Council for Economic Defense).
Still in its initial phase, the transaction could be completed if Gol completes the remaining stages of its judicial recovery process in the United States – the Chapter 11. The restructuring plan, filed on November 29, 2024, intends to convert a significant portion of the company’s debt into capital. Here is the statement (PDF – 100 kB).
Under the terms of the agreement, if the merger is completed, the two companies would maintain their brands and operations independently.
On January 2, Gol entered into an individual transaction agreement with the Brazilian government to settle tax debts worth R$5.5 billion.
The amount will pay the installments of social security and non-social security debts, in addition to applying discounts on fines, interest and charges. It also allows part of the outstanding balance to be deducted through tax losses and a negative calculation basis for CSLL (Social Contribution on Net Profit).
The agreement was signed with the (Attorney General of Finance) and the (Special Secretariat of the Federal Revenue of Brazil). The AGU (Advocacy General of the Union) agreed to the tax debts totaling R$ 7.5 billion.
