GOL of Brazil launches new routes to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay

Brazil’s second-largest airline GOL, which is analysed by anna.aero this week, took on its bigger rival TAM on 15 August by expanding into two neighbouring countries’ capitals. From the airline’s main hub at São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), GOL now flies daily to Paraguay’s capital Asunción (ASU) as well as Uruguay’s capital Montevideo (MVD). Both routes are operated with 737-800 aircraft and face competition from twice-daily operations on TAM; in the case of the Asunción route operated by TAM’s Paraguayan subsidiary. The route to Uruguay’s capital was previously also operated by the country’s national carrier Pluna, which ceased operations last month. GOL previously served Asunción from Curitiba (CWB) in southern Brazil, continuing onward to the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires (EZE). The new non-stop route to Paraguay’s capital from São Paulo results in this route being dropped. Instead, a new daily non-stop connection between Curitiba (CWB) and Buenos Aires also launched on 15 August with 737-800s.