GOL and Delta Air Lines file request to implement code-share agreement
13-Apr-2010 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, announces that it has filed with Delta Air Lines, a request for authorization to implement a code-share agreement with Brazilian and U.S. authorities.
The code-share will initially allow Delta to assign its code to more than 45 GOL flights departing from Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to other Brazilian destinations, as well as two GOL flights between Brazil and Paraguay and Uruguay*.
Beginning in June, registered frequent fliers from both airlines can earn miles on both GOL's SMILES and Delta's SkyMiles programs on eligible flights. Mile redemption is scheduled to begin this Fall.
"We are very pleased to join efforts with a global carrier like Delta, as our SMILES program members will be able to earn and redeem miles on worldwide flights. The agreement will also increase passenger traffic and load factor on GOL.", said Claudia Pagnano, GOL's Executive Vice-President - Market.
Delta Air Lines, a member of the SkyTeam global alliance, is the largest airline in the world in terms of passenger traffic and fleet size. The company operates 30 weekly nonstop flights between Brazil and the United States with Boeing 737-700, Boeing 757-200ER, Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing767-400ER aircraft. The service includes routes between Atlanta and São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Fortaleza, and Manaus; between New York and São Paulo; and between Los Angeles and São Paulo. If approved, the new agreement will offer a combined network of nearly 6,500 daily flights to 423 destinations on six continents.