Amid bankruptcy, Gol will fly from Brazil to Aruba

Gol Linhas Aéreas announced another international destination in its flight network, the Caribbean island Aruba, which will have a direct connection with São Paulo (Guarulhos) from December 18th.

According to the airline, there will be three weekly frequencies during the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3:30 pm and arrival at 9 pm (local time).

The return flight takes place on the same day, at 10:30 pm and lands in São Paulo the following day at 5:40 am. The aircraft to be used on the route is the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which has greater autonomy and capacity for 176 passengers.

“Gol currently serves 12 international destinations across the Americas and is increasing its presence outside the country. Aruba’s entry into our airline network, in December 2024, reinforces the company’s focus on continued international expansion. Aruba will be an exclusive destination, operated with non-stop flights from Brazil solely by Gol”, said Mateus Pongeluppi, Vice President of Strategy at Gol.

VASP charter flights

Aruba became a destination for Brazilian tourists in 1985 when the VASP airline obtained approval for charter flights to the island.

At the time, the Brazilian government defended a “private monopoly” that allowed regular flights abroad only with the carrier VARIG and its affiliate Cruzeiro do Sul.

According to Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority, the record number of Brazilian travelers to the island occurred in 2014, when 24,733 tourists were in Aruba. At the time, Gol flew to Aruba via Caracas, Venezuela.

Aruba is one of the Caribbean islands with the most stable climate in the region, with year-round heat, little rain and outside the paths of hurricanes.

Gol applied for financial restructuring in the New York Court, called Chapter 11, in January. With billions of dollars in debt, the airline has expanded flights abroad in search of revenue in dollars.