GOL Airlines’ Inaugural Flight from São Paulo, Brazil, to Aruba

GOL’s New Route to Aruba: Strengthening Regional Connectivity

GOL Airlines’ new direct route from São Paulo to Aruba, with three weekly flights, significantly boosts Aruba’s capacity from Latin America. In addition to São Paulo, the service enables seamless connections to key Brazilian cities, including Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Belo Horizonte (CNF), Brasília (BSB), Porto Alegre (POA), and Manaus (MAO). Through GOL’s extensive network, Aruba is also linked to major Latin American markets such as Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Notably, this route provides access to one-third of the flight traffic into Aeroparque Airport (AEP) in Buenos Aires, further enhancing Aruba’s regional connectivity.

With the addition of GOL Airlines’ flights, Aruba Airport now offers 32 weekly connections from Latin America, including major hubs such as Bogotá, Panama City, Lima, and São Paulo’s GRU Airport—one of the largest airports in the region and a vital gateway for Aruba.

The Brazilian market has proven to be a key growth area for Aruba. By the end of 2023, Brazilian visitor numbers had increased by 24% compared to 2019, with momentum continuing into 2024, as the first half of the year recorded a remarkable 33% growth compared to the same period in 2023. The launch of this route supports Aruba’s ambitious goal of achieving a 40% growth in the Brazilian market by 2025, targeting 25,900 Brazilian visitors annually.

The Inaugural Event: Celebrating New Partnerships

The inaugural flight was celebrated with an event at Aruba Airport, reflecting the cultural connection between Brazil and Aruba. The event included welcoming esteemed representatives from GOL Airlines, the Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), and key stakeholders from the tourism and aviation sectors. Among the distinguished attendees were GOL officials, Ms. Ronella Croes, CEO of ATA, and the Interim Management Team (IMT) of Aruba Airport Authority N.V.

The event concluded with the traditional ribbon and cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official commencement of operations on this new route. The event also highlighted the 'Falamos Português' initiative, a Portuguese language training program aimed at equipping Aruba’s tourism frontliners with the skills to provide a warm and welcoming experience for Brazilian visitors.

Driving Growth and Shaping Future Prospects

The Latin American region has shown remarkable growth, with over 309,500 seats expected by the end of 2024, reflecting a robust year-over-year growth of 43%. Looking ahead, the region is forecasted to reach 317,051 seats in 2025, indicating continued strong growth. The Brazilian market, in particular, has demonstrated impressive growth, closing 2023 with a 24% increase compared to 2019 and a 33% growth in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This new route aligns with our goal to achieve a 40% growth in the Brazilian market by 2025, targeting 25,900 Brazilian visitors.

Rafael Araújo, GOL's Director of Air Network Planning, emphasized:
"With Aruba, GOL now serves 15 destinations and 16 international airports across the Americas, and will continue to strengthen its presence abroad. As a national airline that holds strong recognition among Brazilians, our focus remains on continuous international expansion. We are the only company to offer direct flights to Aruba from Brazil. This gives us the certainty that we are bringing our people closer together with joy, convenience, and safety, contributing to the development of tourism and the economy throughout the region.”

Ronella Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), expressed enthusiasm about the strategic move, stating:
"The inaugural flight between São Paulo and Aruba is an exceptional achievement that reflects our commitment to diversification and strengthens our relationship with the Latin American market. This opens a new door between Brazil and our island, not only facilitating access but also positioning Aruba as a preferred destination for Brazilians in the Caribbean. Having stabilized the Colombian market, the focus is now on the Brazilian market, alongside those of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. With projections indicating positive growth and a strategy focused on attracting high-value, low-impact visitors, we are confident that this moment will mark a new era for tourism from Brazil to our island.”

Jo-Anne Arends, Aviation Business Development Executive of AAA N.V., highlighted the importance of the new route, stating:
"We are thrilled to welcome GOL Airlines as the 28th airline at AUA Airport, marking our 32nd nonstop route. Latin America has three main hubs—Panama City (PTY), Bogotá (BOG), and Lima (LIM)—and we are pleased to see direct service from one of our largest markets and the region's largest airport, São Paulo (GRU). The GOL service not only facilitates travel for passengers from Brazil but also connects one third of the flight traffic to Argentina. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on our connectivity and tourism.”

Flight Details
The new service is operated using a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft with a capacity of 176 seats.