GOL appoints André Fehlauer as new CEO as Celso Ferrer departs for Boeing

GOL Linhas Aéreas has announced a leadership change, appointing André Fehlauer as its next chief executive officer following the departure of current CEO Celso Ferrer, who is moving to Boeing. Ferrer is set to leave GOL on August 31, 2026, and will join Boeing on September 4, taking up a role overseeing the manufacturer's operations, strategy and growth across Latin America.

Fehlauer, who will assume the CEO role in September, previously spent eight years with GOL's Smiles loyalty program in Argentina and Brazil. He most recently served as chief executive of Brazilian loyalty firm Livelo and has also held positions at Citi and Credicard.

As part of the reshuffle, current Chief Operating Officer Albert Perez will take on an expanded role as president and COO, continuing to manage day-to-day operations. Perez joined GOL in early 2024 after more than two decades in the aviation industry, including leadership positions at Avianca, JetSMART and Vueling. GOL credited him with helping improve the airline's operational performance.

Ferrer has led GOL since 2022 and has spent over 20 years with the airline, during which he oversaw a corporate restructuring and the carrier's integration with Abra Group. Abra Group CEO Adrian Neuhauser said the combined experience of Fehlauer and Perez would support the airline's next phase of growth.

GOL is part of Abra Group, which also owns Avianca, holds a strategic investment in Wamos Air, and has convertible debt representing a minority interest in Sky Airline. According to the group, it employs about 30,000 people and operates more than 300 aircraft serving over 145 destinations across more than 25 countries.