Delta Air Lines and Brazil’s GOL to Expand Partnership
Delta Air Lines, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, and Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes have agreed to expand their partnership.
Delta plans to invest $100 million in GOL, which has 40% of the Brazilian air travel market. The enhanced alliance will provide passengers with improved benefits, including frequent flier awards and recognition of elite status as well as airport lounge access.
Demand for flights between the U.S. and Brazil is projected to increase by 11% by 2015, as Brazil’s economy, now the world’s seventh largest, is expected to soon become the fifth largest. Brazil’s middle class is growing rapidly, with the number of Brazilians who can afford to fly predicted to reach 153 million within the next decade.