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He died this Saturday (24/1), aged 57, Constantino de Oliveira Júniorfounder and former CEO of GOL Linhas Aéreasin São Paulo. The businessman was admitted to a hospital in the capital of São Paulo and had been facing cancer for a few years. The cause of death was not detailed by the family.
Constantino Júnior was one of the most influential names in the recent history of commercial aviation in Brazil. In 2001, he led the creation of Gol and was responsible for implementing the business model in the country based on the concept of “low cost, low fare”which revolutionized the national airline sector and expanded the population’s access to air transport.
He served as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO) for 11 years, between 2001 and 2012, a period marked by Gol’s rapid expansion in the Brazilian market. From 2004 onwards, he joined the company’s Board of Directors, a role he maintained even after leaving his executive position. In recent years, he held the presidency of the board.
Before founding Gol, Constantino Júnior built a career in the transport sector as director of Comporte Participações, the controlling group of land passenger transport companies, where he worked between 1994 and 2000.
Official note from Gol
In a statement released on social media, Gol Linhas Aéreas deeply regretted the death of its founder and highlighted the legacy he left behind.
“25 years ago, Júnior and the Constantino family began the trajectory of the most Brazilian of airlines. With an entrepreneurial vision and solid values, a company was born recognized for its excellence, a reference in innovation and for its commitment to the development of Brazil”, says the note.
The company also highlighted the businessman’s human profile and leadership. “His strategic vision and his simple, human, intelligent and approachable approach left deep marks on our culture. The principles established by its founder are still alive at Gol and continue to transform aviation in Brazil.”
Recognition and legacy
Throughout his career, Constantino Júnior received several awards and honors for his executive performance. Among them, he was elected “Executive of Value” in 2001 and 2002 by the newspaper Economic Valueas well as “Leading Executive” in the logistics sector in 2003, for Mercantil Gazette. In 2008, he received the title of “Distinguished Executive” in the Air Transport category at the GALA (Galería Aeronáutica Latinoamericana) awards, sponsored by IATA.
In addition to Gol, Constantino was also a member of the Board of Directors and one of the founders of Grupo ABRA, an international conglomerate in the airline sector.
The businessman’s death generated great commotion in the business community and in the aviation sector, which recognizes his decisive contribution to the modernization and democratization of air transport in Brazil.
Source: GOL Linhas Aéreas / official statement
✍️ Written by ContilNet
