GOL troca CEO: Ferrer vai para a Boeing e Fehlauer assume

André Fehlauer will replace Celso Ferrer as CEO of Gol starting in September, a leadership change at a time when the airline seeks to grow again after emerging from a judicial recovery and being incorporated by the Abra Group – the holding of Constantino, the owners of Avianca. Ferrer, who has been with Gol for over 20 years and as CEO since 2022, will now lead the operation of Boeing in Latin America, a commercial position where he will continue to have interaction with airlines in the region.

Fehlauer, currently CEO of Livelo, is returning to the Constantino group where he worked for eight years at Smiles, the most recent being as CEO of Gol's loyalty program (2019-2021). He also opened the company's office in Argentina. After Smiles was incorporated by Gol, Fehlauer took on the role of Livelo, the mileage and points JV between Bradesco and BB, where he has been since 2021.

Previously, he worked at Credicard and Citibank. Fehlauer is known for his innovation and focus on the customer. "He's a rebel, focused on the client," said an executive who worked with him. The Abra Group said Fehlauer's arrival will help "strengthen institutional relationships while keeping the customer at the center of decisions" as the airline begins a new growth phase.

That is, now that the company has regained a level of stability, the executive will have to get sales going. In July, Abra postponed its plans to raise capital in the US due to market volatility and high fuel prices, but said it remained in contact with investors. The holding reported revenue of US$2.7 billion in the first quarter of this year, 16% more than the same period last year.

Leaving Boeing, Ferrer joined Gol in 2004 as a trainee and rose through the ranks to become VP of Operations in 2019 under Paulo Kakinoff's management. During his time at the airline, he also became a commercial pilot and commanded Boeing 737 fleet flights, earning favor with the Constantinos. When Kaki left the company in 2022, Ferrer took over a weakened business and had to resort to a judicial recovery. Ferrer led the entire process, closing capital and incorporating the company through Abra.