Brazil's Antitrust Crackdown Grounds Gol-Azul Codeshare

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) CADE ordered Gol and Azul on September 3, 2025, to notify their codeshare deal within 30 days or suspend shared flights.

The pact, announced in May 2024 without an end date, struck regulators as a merger in disguise. CADE fears“gun jumping,” where firms act on merger benefits before approval.

Together, Gol and Azul cover about 60 percent of Brazil's domestic market, eclipsing LATAM's 40 percent.

CADE's president, Gustavo Lima, flagged the airlines' cancellation of routes where rivals held no strong presence. Such moves suggest market division and possible cartel behavior.

CADE barred any expansion of shared routes until it completes its review. If the airlines miss the deadline, they must halt their entire codeshare, though existing tickets will stay valid. The authority stressed that consumer interests come first.



Behind the headlines, both carriers face deep financial stress. In May 2025, Azul entered Chapter 11 in the United States to handle over R$ 30 billion in debt. Gol also reorganizes under U.S. bankruptcy protection.

They struck the codeshare to cut costs and shore up their networks in a tough regional market. CADE 's firm stance signals a new era of scrutiny.

It reminds global investors that Brazil will clamp down on backdoor mergers. Moreover, it warns airlines everywhere to clear big alliances with regulators before reshaping markets.

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