Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol is looking to add several more codeshare partners after completing its first IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).
Gol says it received IOSA certification earlier this week, completing a process which began in December with an audit.
"The successful completion of the program, recognized as the world standard for assessing an airline's operational safety management and control systems, reflects Gol's commitment to technical excellence and increases the potential for new business opportunities, such as new codeshare agreements with foreign airlines that operate intercontinental flights to Brazil and South America," the carrier says in a statement.
Gol already codeshares with Panama's Copa Airlines and Air France-KLM, and plans to begin codesharing later this year with American Airlines. Gol CFO Leonardo Pereira last week told analysts the carrier is now working on drafting new partnership agreements with several additional airlines that the carrier expects to finalise over the next year.
"We are working to have at least five or six large partnerships with major airlines that can complement our domestic network," Pereira says. "No doubt there's a huge business opportunity here and we're paying a lot of attention and are very much focused on that."
Gol CEO Constantinto de Oliveira Junior told analysts the carrier has invested heavily in upgrading its frequent flier platform and reservation systems to support new codeshares.
"It's very important as it means we'll capture more passengers from long-haul carriers and help us build stronger load factor," Oliveira says. "Also there's an expectation from our clients to have alternatives to fly outside Brazil."
During this week's IOSA ceremony in Brazil, Oliveira said completing the IOSA and eventually joining IATA will further help Gol's drive to "develop codeshare partners with international airlines". Gol is currently not a member of IATA but Oliveira says joining would be the "next step".
Gol, which also has begun interlining with 25 carriers over the last year, says it cannot say which airlines it is considering adding as new codeshare partners due to non-disclosure agreements. Chile-base LAN, however, is one obvious candidate.
LAN already has a cargo subsidiary in Brazil and for years has been considering establishing its own passenger operation in Brazil similar to its affiliates in Argentina, Peru and Ecuador. Brazil has been planning to change foreign airline ownership limitations to allow foreigners to own up to 49% of local carriers, compared to 20% currently, and to potentially control the management of local carriers. This could open the door for LAN in Brazil but LAN CEO Enrique Cueto told ATI sister publication Airline Business Magazine in July that aligning or merging with another Brazilian carrier was a more likely option than launching a new affiliate.
"With all the airport restrictions it's hard to start a new airline there," Cueto says. "It is more possible to have a merger or some kind of alliance."
Cueto said during last February's oneworld meeting in Madrid that Gol would be a "good cooperation partner" for LAN and other oneworld members while dismissing the possibility of Gol joining the alliance. While Gol is breaking away from the pure low-cost model by seeking membership in IATA and forging codeshare partnerships, Oliveira told ATI in June that the carrier is not considering joining a global alliance.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
