Latham & Watkins Advises American Airlines on Strategic Agreement With GOL

American Airlines announced it has signed an investment agreement with GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., Brazil’s largest airline, deepening the commercial partnership between the two carriers to create the broadest network in the Americas. The combined networks will provide increased customer benefits in more than 30 destinations in the US served by American and more than 34 destinations in South America served by GOL. Additionally, the agreements are expected to create the largest joint frequent flyer program in the Americas under American’s AAdvantage® and GOL’s SMILES loyalty programs, with enhanced benefits for customers. As part of the investment agreement, American will invest $US200 million in newly issued preferred shares of GOL. The execution of the commercial partnership agreements and the closing of the equity investment are subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Latham & Watkins LLP advised American Airlines, Inc. on the transaction with a deal team led by partners Tony Del Pino, Tony Klein, and Ghaith Mahmood, with associates Carlos Ardila, Amy Tosi, Natasha Phillips, and Nick Goshgarian. Advice on antitrust matters was provided by partners Michael Egge and Farrell Malone.