Barbados and Gol amend partnership terms

Barbados is suspending its weekly direct air service from Sao Paulo via Gol airlines.

Following a recent meeting between the airline’s top executives and Barbados’ tourism marketing team, led by Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, the two parties have agreed to put a hold on the service effective from August 28, 2016.

“The airline has made some tough decisions in the past several months, including reducing frequencies to several of its top destinations,” explained Eduardo Bernardes Neto, Chief Commercial Officer of the airline. “Despite the difficult Brazilian political-economic scenario, GOL still believes in Barbados’ market potential,” he added.

Commenting on this development, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Hon. Richard Sealy stated, “We remain optimistic that Brazil and, by extension, Latin America is a market with a bright future and I have made this clear to the Gol leadership.

“The deferment is, therefore, a chance to refocus and regroup in order that we can continue to develop this very promising market,” he added.

Minister Sealy emphasised that it was a mutual decision to postpone the service on August as bookings continue to be relatively strong in the lead up to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Eduardo José Bernardes Neto shared similar comments, stating that he believed the service could be regularised in the not too distant future, while adding that Barbados
remains an attractive destination for Brazilian travellers.

“Notwithstanding the challenges we are facing currently, Barbados is still a desirable destination for our customers and we hope to resume our service in the near future,” he added.

Barbados commenced its relationship with Gol in 2010 and has welcomed some 26 766 passengers to the island in that time. In 2015, the island welcomed 4 080 arrivals from Brazil, 1 493 less than the all-time peak of 5 573 from the previous year.