GOL CEO Celso Ferrer will leave the Brazilian airline at the end of August to become president of Boeing Latin America and the Caribbean, ending a career of more than two decades at the carrier.
Boeing announced Ferrer's appointment on Thursday, August 13. He will assume the new position on September 4 and oversee the manufacturer's activities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Ferrer has served as GOL's CEO since 2022 but began his career at the airline as an intern. He later held positions in pricing, alliances and planning before becoming chief operating officer and eventually CEO. Ferrer is also a certified airline pilot and has flown the Boeing 737 for GOL.
His departure will take effect on August 31. GOL named André Fehlauer as its next CEO, with the executive due to start in September. Fehlauer previously spent eight years within the company, including periods as CEO of the Smiles loyalty program in Argentina and Brazil. He most recently served as CEO of Livelo.
GOL also expanded the responsibilities of current chief operating officer Albert Perez, who will become president and COO. Perez joined the airline in 2024 after previous positions at Avianca, JetSMART and Vueling.
Ferrer leaves GOL after a period that included the airline's financial restructuring and its incorporation into Abra Group. The holding company controls GOL and Avianca, owns a stake in Spanish wet-lease operator Wamos Air and recently received approval for its acquisition of Chilean carrier Sky Airline.
His move to Boeing also comes shortly before a significant change in GOL's fleet. The airline has built its operation around the Boeing 737 for more than two decades and currently operates an all-737 fleet, but that model is set to end.
GOL plans to introduce five leased Airbus A330-900s in 2027 for long-haul operations and will also receive Embraer E195-E2 regional jets. The additions will give the airline aircraft from three manufacturers and represent a major departure from the single-type fleet policy that has characterized its operations since its first flight in 2001.
At Boeing, Ferrer will succeed in a regional role that covers one of the manufacturer's established commercial and defense markets. His responsibilities will include Boeing's activities and business development across Latin America and the Caribbean.
