Brazilian airline Gol’s parent business has started negotiations with competitor Azul to “explore opportunities,” both airlines stated on Monday. This development comes after prior media reports hinted at a probable merger.
In a securities filing, Azul stated that no new agreements for a business combination with Gol have been signed or finalised. Gol is controlled by Abra Group, a Latin American airline holding firm founded in 2022 to combine Gol and Colombia’s Avianca into a single holding corporation co-managed by both airlines’ key shareholders.
Gol and Azul’s announcement of a codeshare agreement last week fuelled speculation about a merger. This agreement connects their networks and frequent flyer programs, fuelling speculation that Brazilian carriers may merge.
Gol filed for bankruptcy in the United States earlier this year, citing enormous debt obligations and Boeing aircraft delivery delays. Abra Group, Gol’s largest secured creditor, is actively participating in the restructuring process. However, any hypothetical deal between Abra Group and Azul “would not be binding for Gol,” the airline declared in a Monday securities filing, without providing any further details.
Azul stated in its filing that it is in “independent talks” with the Abra Group.
In addition, Gol announced intentions to launch a competitive procedure in June to consider bids for financing its escape from bankruptcy. Gol stated that this approach will consider “opportunities presented by potential sources of equity and debt capital.”
According to measurements from Brazil’s aviation authority ANAC, Gol and Azul are the country’s second and third-largest airlines in terms of passenger volume. Chile’s LATAM is now leading the Brazilian market.
(With inputs from Reuters)