Brazil’s antitrust watchdog, CADE, has launched a formal administrative proceeding to investigate whether major airlines LATAM and Gol coordinated their ticket prices in the domestic market.
The investigation follows an initial probe started in 2023 by CADE’s general superintendence. According to the regulator, advanced data analysis revealed a suspicious and consistent pattern of “interdependence” in price changes between the two carriers on several key flight routes.
Both airlines have been notified to present their defense. In response:
- Gol denied any wrongdoing, asserting that it has always supported free competition and independent pricing.
- LATAM also rejected the claims, describing free competition as a “non-negotiable” corporate value.
CADE clarified that the opening of this proceeding is a procedural step and does not constitute a final judgment on the matter.