GOL Resumes Venezuelan Flights via Bogota
Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas is set to re-enter the Venezuelan market after nearly a decade of absence, aiming to address the long-standing lack of air connectivity between the two South American nations. Starting March 31, 2025, GOL will launch a new route connecting Brasília International Airport in Brazil to Caracas’ Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) with a key stop in Bogotá, Colombia, operated by modern Boeing 737-8 jets.
This new route comes as a significant development in regional aviation. Historically, GOL previously operated a nonstop service between São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and Caracas. However, in February 2016, the airline suspended its Venezuelan operations, primarily citing challenges related to repatriating revenues back to Brazil. LATAM Airlines Group also discontinued its Caracas-São Paulo link a few months later, leaving Avior Airlines’ Caracas-Manaus route as the only direct air connection between the two countries for several years.
The new service by GOL will follow a fifth-freedom arrangement, in which flights will first originate in Brasília, then transit via Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) before landing in Caracas. The planned twice-weekly schedule is designed to provide an effective alternative that not only revives a key international connection but also bolsters regional integration in a time when demand for air travel in South America is rebounding after pandemic-related disruptions.
This relaunch marks a strategic expansion in GOL’s network, as the airline adjusts its route offerings in Colombia. On March 31, 2024, GOL initially launched a route between São Paulo’s GRU and Bogotá, and the following day, introduced a new link from Bogotá to Buenos Aires. However, these flights are now being phased out as the carrier shifts focus to its more promising Brasília–Bogotá service, scheduled to begin in early February. This move underscores GOL’s intention to streamline operations and maximize capacity on routes that promise better returns and higher passenger demand.
On the Bogotá–Caracas leg, GOL will face competition from five other airlines that collectively provide about 6,200 two-way weekly seats. Market leaders include Copa Airlines Colombia with a 24% capacity share, closely followed by Avianca (23.2%), LATAM Airlines Group (22.4%), Laser Airlines (21.2%), and Avior Airlines (9.2%). Despite the competitive environment, GOL is confident that its new service, enabled by the efficiency and modern comfort of the Boeing 737-8, will capture a significant share of the market.
In parallel to these route adjustments, OAG Schedules Analyser data indicates that international departure seats from Venezuela dropped to approximately 95,200 in January 2025, marking a 35% year-on-year decline. This reduction is largely attributed to ongoing diplomatic disputes with countries such as the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Peru, which have led to capacity cuts in key markets. Currently, Spain remains Venezuela’s largest international market, followed by Colombia and Turkey, highlighting potential growth areas for carriers like GOL looking to serve growing travel demand.
With the new route scheduled to begin operations at the end of March, GOL’s strategic initiative to resume Venezuelan flights via Bogotá is poised to revitalize air connectivity between Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. As the airline leverages its modern fleet and competitive service, travelers can look forward to enhanced connectivity, improved operational efficiency, and a revived network that supports the dynamic travel needs of South American passengers.
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