Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 27th January 2026:
GOL Linhas Aéreas, a member of Abra Group – the leading air transportation group across Latin America -, has been named the Official Carrier for Routes Americas, the leading air service development event for the region.
Routes Americas unites airlines, airports and the destinations they serve to define future air connectivity across the continent and beyond. The 2026 edition of the event will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 3-5 March.
With a simple and efficient business model, GOL connects people, businesses, and destinations with consistency, punctuality, and smart solutions throughout the journey. From Rio de Janeiro, the airline offers flights to 26 destinations across Brazil, including cities such as São Paulo, Brasília, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, and Porto Alegre.
International services from Rio connect the airline to markets across South America, including 5 destinations across Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, reinforcing the city’s role as a key hub in GOL’s network and supporting its international expansion.
GOL CEO Celso Ferrer will participate in a keynote interview at Routes Americas, outlining the airline’s post-restructuring strategy and outlook for Latin American aviation. He will address cost discipline, market saturation and a more measured approach to growth. The conference programme will also feature senior airline executives and industry leaders, including ACI LAC’s Industry Affairs Director, Francisco Medela Alonso, and ALTA’s CEO and IATA’s Regional Vice President, Peter Cerda.
Brazil saw a historic high of 9.3 million foreign tourists in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 37%. According to a study conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council, international visitor spend in Brazil is expected to exceed US$198 billion by 2035, cementing Travel & Tourism as one of the country’s most dynamic and high-potential economic sectors.
Steven Small, Director of Routes, said: “As a long-standing supporter of Routes events, we are delighted that GOL will be the Official Carrier for the upcoming Routes Americas. GOL’s extensive network and their commitment to innovation in aviation makes them a perfect partner for this year’s event.”
“Being named the Official Carrier of Routes Americas 2026 reinforces GOL’s role in strengthening air connectivity across Brazil and the Americas. Hosting this event in Rio de Janeiro highlights the city’s importance as one of GOL’s main hubs and a strategic gateway for our network, as well as providing an important platform to discuss sustainable, disciplined growth for aviation in the region.”, commented Celso Ferrer, CEO of GOL.
“Hosting Routes Americas 2026 is a unique opportunity to showcase the destination Rio de Janeiro and Brazil to airline delegates and decision-makers from around the world. Rio de Janeiro International Airport is one of the country’s main gateways for international tourism and the event comes at a moment of accelerated growth with Brazil reaching a record 9.3 million international visitors in 2025 — a 37% increase year-on-year. The selection of GOL as the event’s official carrier reinforces the airline’s longstanding partnership with RIOgaleão. Together, we are committed to driving more visitors to Rio,” said Patrick Fehring, RIOgaleão’s Director of Aviation Business.
Routes Americas 2026 will take place on 3-5 March at the ExpoRio CIDADE NOVA.
