Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) proudly celebrated the inaugural flight of GOL Airlines' between São Paulo, Brazil (GRU) and Aruba (AUA). This significant milestone enhances connectivity between Brazil and Aruba, further enriching the relationship between the two regions.

This development marks an important achievement for Aruba, introducing a new destination currently unserved and establishing São Paulo as the fourth Latin American regional hub and the 32nd destination with a direct connection. GOL Airlines will join as the 28th airline serving Aruba Airport, facilitating connections not only to São Paulo, Brazil, but also to key Brazilian markets such as Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Belo Horizonte (CNF), Brasília (BSB), Porto Alegre-Salgado Filho (POA), and Manaus (MAO), as well as to Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Notably, the GOL service connects one third of the flight traffic to Aeroparque Airport in Buenos Aires (AEP), Argentina, further enhancing Aruba's connectivity within the Latin American region.

With this expansion, Aruba Airport continues to strengthen its presence in the Latin American market, now offering 32 weekly flights to the island from major hubs including Bogotá, Panama City, Lima, and now from GRU Airport in São Paulo, one of Aruba’s largest markets and the region’s largest airports.
The inaugural flight, which landed on December 18, 2024, was welcomed with a grand celebration in the Aruba Airport arrival hall. The event included welcoming esteemed representatives from the Aruba Government, GOL Airlines, the Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.), and key stakeholders from the tourism and aviation sectors. Among the distinguished attendees were Aruba’s Prime Minister, Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes, Aruba’s Minister of Tourism & Public Health, Mr. Danguillaume Oduber, Gol Officials, Ms. Ronella Croes, CEO ATA, and the Interim Management Team (IMT) of AAA. The event concluded with the traditional ribbon and cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official commencement of operations on this new route.

The launch of this new route is a testament to the successful collaboration between Aruba Airport and GOL Airlines. This strategic partnership aims to boost tourism and provide more travel options for passengers. With three weekly flights operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, the new service will add approximately 528 weekly seats from Brazil, significantly increasing seat capacity from Latin America.

Aruba Airport remains committed to providing nonstop service to key markets, enhancing connectivity for travelers, and supporting the island’s economic growth. The launch of GOL Airlines' direct route from São Paulo, Brazil, to Aruba is a significant milestone that underscores this commitment. As a primary goal for Aruba Airport, we are dedicated to maintaining strategic connections and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our routes. This underscores AUA’s commitment to solidifying our position as one of the most highly connected Caribbean islands.

The Latin American region has shown remarkable growth, with over 309,500 seats expected by the end of 2024, reflecting a robust year-over-year growth of 43%. Looking ahead, the region is forecasted to reach 317,051 seats in 2025, indicating continued strong growth. The Brazilian market, in particular, has demonstrated impressive growth, closing 2023 with a 24% increase compared to 2019 and a 33% growth in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This new route aligns with our goal to achieve a 40% growth in the Brazilian market by 2025, targeting 25,900 Brazilian visitors.

Minister Dangui Oduber, Minister of Tourism and Public Health, stated: “On behalf of the Government of Aruba, I am delighted to welcome GOL Airlines to our island, further strengthening our air connectivity with South America. This partnership creates opportunities to deepen cultural, economic, and tourism ties between Aruba and Brazil, fostering mutual growth and collaboration. With GOL's extensive network, we look forward to welcoming more South American travelers to experience Aruba's unique beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. This strategic addition aligns with our vision of sustainable tourism by enhancing accessibility while preserving our natural heritage. We are confident this collaboration will further enhance Aruba's position as a premier destination in the Caribbean."

Rafael Araújo, GOL's Director of Air Network Planning, emphasized: "With Aruba, GOL now serves 15 destinations and 16 international airports across the Americas, and will continue to strengthen its presence abroad. As a national airline that holds strong recognition among Brazilians, we our focus remains on continuous international expansion. We are the only company to offer direct flights to Aruba from Brazil. This gives us the certainty that we are bringing our people closer together with joy, convenience, and safety, contributing to the development of tourism and the economy throughout the region.”

Ronella Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A), expressed enthusiasm about the strategic move, stating, "The inaugural flight between São Paulo and Aruba is an exceptional achievement that reflects our commitment to diversification and strengthens our relationship with the Latin American market. This opens a new door between Brazil and our island, not only facilitating access but also positioning Aruba as a preferred destination for Brazilians in the Caribbean. Having stabilized the Colombian market, the focus is now on the Brazilian market, alongside those of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. With projections indicating positive growth and a strategy focused on attracting high-value, low-impact visitors, we are confident that this moment will mark a new era for tourism from Brazil to our island."

Jo-Anne Arends, Aviation Business Development Executive of AAA N.V, highlighted the importance of the new route, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome GOL Airlines as the 28th airline at AUA Airport, marking our 32nd nonstop route. Latin America has three main hubs—Panama City (PTY), Bogotá (BOG), and Lima (LIM)—and we are pleased to see direct service from one of our largest markets and the region's largest airport, São Paulo (GRU). The GOL service not only facilitates travel for passengers from Brazil but also connects one third of the flight traffic to Argentina. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on our connectivity and tourism."

The new service will be operated using a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft with a capacity of 176 seats. The flight schedule is as follows:

GRU to AUA: Departure at 3:30 PM, Arrival at 9:00 PM
AUA to GRU: Departure at 10:30 PM, Arrival at 5:50 AM

Tickets are available for purchase on GOL's website, www.voegol.com.br/en, app, and through travel agents. Travelers can choose between GOL Premium Economy Class, offering more legroom and greater seat recline, and Basic Economy.

São Paulo, Brazil's bustling metropolis, is now just a direct flight away from Aruba. Known as the financial hub of Latin America, São Paulo boasts a rich cultural tapestry, vibrant arts scene, and world-renowned cuisine. Its dynamic atmosphere and welcoming locals make it an exciting destination for travelers.

About AUA Airport AUA Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean region, with more than 25 different airlines operating into Aruba contributing to processing almost 3 million passengers per year and providing air service to 31 cities and 45 non-stop destinations worldwide. AUA Airport’s markets served comprise of 76% from the United States & Canada, 16% from Latin America, 5% from Europe, and 4% from Dutch Caribbean. AUA Airport attributes this to the island’s stable economic and political climate, hospitable and multilingual population, and safe environment. AUA Airport’s aspiration is to become one of the most Sustainable, Safe, and Future Proof airports of the Latin America & Caribbean region, providing a trusted workplace, modern airport facilities and excellent customer service which reflects Aruban hospitality, contributing to a prosperous future for Aruba.

Learn more about what’s happening at AUA Airport by visiting www.airportaruba.com and connect with AUA Airport on Twitter.com/Aruba_Airport, Facebook.com/ArubaAirport, Instagram.com/arubaairport/, TikTok.com/@arubaairport and Linkedin.com/ArubaAirport.