GOL Linhas Aéreas has named André Fehlauer as its new CEO after current chief executive Celso Ferrer agreed to leave the Brazilian carrier to become Boeing’s president for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ferrer will step down from GOL on August 31, 2026, and is due to join Boeing on September 4. Fehlauer will take over as CEO in September, while current Chief Operating Officer Albert Perez will assume the expanded role of president and COO.
Fehlauer is returning to GOL after previously spending eight years with the company’s Smiles loyalty business in Argentina and Brazil. He most recently served as CEO of Livelo, a Brazilian loyalty program, and previously held positions at Citi and Credicard.
Perez joined GOL in early 2024 after more than two decades in aviation, including leadership roles at Avianca, JetSMART and Vueling. GOL said he has helped improve the airline’s operational performance and will continue overseeing day-to-day operations as the carrier expands its domestic and international network.
Ferrer has led GOL since 2022 and has spent more than 20 years with the airline. During his tenure as CEO, he oversaw a restructuring of the company and its integration with Abra Group.
Abra Group CEO Adrian Neuhauser said Fehlauer’s previous experience with GOL and Perez’s operational background would support the airline’s next phase of growth.
“We are pleased to welcome André Fehlauer as CEO and are proud to promote Albert to his newly expanded role,” Neuhauser said.
GOL is part of Abra Group, which also owns Avianca and has a strategic investment in Wamos Air. The group also holds convertible debt representing a minority interest in Sky Airline. Abra says it has about 30,000 employees and operates more than 300 aircraft serving more than 145 destinations in over 25 countries.
Ferrer’s move to Boeing was announced earlier on August 13. He will be responsible for Boeing’s operations, strategy and growth across Latin America and the Caribbean.