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Brazil Opens Antitrust Case Into Alleged Airline Price Coordination

By  |  April 30, 2026

Brazil’s antitrust regulator has launched a formal administrative proceeding to investigate alleged pricing coordination between two of the country’s largest airlines, signaling a deeper scrutiny of competition practices in the aviation sector.

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    The probe, initiated by Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), focuses on domestic routes operated by Gol Linhas Aéreas and LATAM Airlines Brazil. According to a statement, the opening of the proceeding does not imply a conclusion of wrongdoing but marks the next phase in an ongoing investigation.

    The decision follows an earlier inquiry conducted by CADE’s general superintendence, which began in 2023. According to a statement, investigators relied on advanced data analysis techniques that identified what they described as a “persistent pattern of interdependence” in ticket price movements between the two carriers on key domestic routes.

    CADE emphasized that the case remains in its early stages and that both companies will be formally notified and given the opportunity to present their defenses. Per a statement, the regulator reiterated that the administrative proceeding does not constitute a final judgment.

    Both airlines have denied the allegations. Gol rejected claims of anti-competitive behavior, stating in a statement that it has “always championed free competition and pricing freedom.” LATAM also pushed back against the findings, saying that free competition is a “non-negotiable value” for the company.

    The case highlights increasing regulatory attention on airline pricing practices in Brazil, particularly as the sector continues to recover and expand following recent global disruptions.

    Source: Reuters