Brazilian Airline Gol announced today that beginning January 1st, commissions paid to travel agents on Gol ticket sales will be reduced to 7% for domestic flights and 6% for international flights.
The decision is part of the Gol’s overall cost reduction plan which is expected to reduce operating costs by 7% in 2007. The company says it expects annual cost savings of about US$ 50 million in travel agency commissions in 2007.
"Reducing our costs will allow the company to offer even lower airfares and continue to popularize air transportation," says Gol’s Vice-president of Marketing and Services, Tarcísio Gargioni.
Gol has also released preliminary passenger statistics for November. According to this information, system-wide passenger traffic increased 43% and capacity increased 55% year-over-year. Gol’s system load factor for November was 67%.
Domestic passenger traffic for November increased 36% and capacity increased 46%. Gol’s domestic load factor for November was 67%. International passenger traffic for the same month increased 146% and capacity increased 200%. International load factor was 61%. Average fares were reduced approximately 7% when compared to November 2005.