Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas has unveiled plans to introduce direct flights linking Rio de Janeiro with Lisbon and Paris, marking the airline’s first non-stop routes to Europe since its establishment in 2001, according to Euronews.
The new services form part of the company’s wider strategy to transform itself from a largely regional operator into an intercontinental airline.
Until recently, GOL’s international reach was limited because its fleet consisted exclusively of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which are suited mainly to shorter routes within Latin America and parts of the southern United States. The addition of wide-body jets now allows the airline to pursue longer connections across the Atlantic.
Central to the expansion are newly acquired Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, which joined the company’s fleet in early March. With the ability to fly for up to fifteen hours and accommodate roughly 300 passengers, the five long-range jets are expected to significantly broaden the airline’s operational scope and support its push into markets in Europe and North America.
According to the company’s plans, the first European service will connect Rio de Janeiro’s Rio Galeão International Airport with Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. Flights on that route are scheduled to begin on 16 September and will initially operate four times per week. While the airline has not yet released a detailed timetable for the Paris route, it intends to launch services to Charles de Gaulle Airport during July 2026.
The shift towards long-haul operations also reflects the airline’s ambition to broaden its global network. The company, part of the Abra Group, is exploring additional routes that could connect Rio de Janeiro with destinations such as New York City, specifically targeting services to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Earlier plans to expand operations in northern Portugal have been temporarily delayed. In 2025 the airline secured more than 292 operating slots at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. However, after receiving authorisation to operate in Lisbon, the company decided to prioritise the Portuguese capital due to limited aircraft availability.
“It’s the main destination for Brazilians and also the destination most desired by Brazilians from all regions of Brazil,” GOL’s chief executive Celso Ferreira said.
