WebJet Linhas Aéreas Econômicas
A defunct Brazilian low-cost airline that operated domestic all-economy services from 2005 until its integration into Gol in 2012.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
WebJet Linhas Aéreas Econômicas S.A. was a Brazilian low-cost airline headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. It operated an all-economy, domestic-only network and was created during a period when Brazil’s air-travel market was expanding and new carriers were attempting to compete with established airlines through lower fares, simplified service, and relatively concentrated aircraft fleets. The airline was founded by Rogério Ottoni in 2004. Its original plan involved launching operations with a leased McDonnell Douglas MD-82, but that plan was abandoned after the Lion Air Flight 538 accident in December 2004. WebJet instead selected the Boeing 737-300 and began commercial operations on July 12, 2005, with a former Varig aircraft. Its initial routes connected Rio de Janeiro–Galeão with Porto Alegre, Curitiba, and Salvador. WebJet changed ownership several times during its short life. In January 2006, it was sold to Jacob Barata Filho and Wagner Abrahão, whose business interests included tourism and transportation in Rio de Janeiro. CVC Viagens, Brazil’s largest tour operator at the time, acquired the airline in June 2007. CVC’s strategic rationale was to reduce its dependence on scheduled carriers, particularly TAM, and to support the tour operator’s charter and package-travel activities. Under CVC ownership, WebJet expanded its fleet, destinations, and flight frequencies. The carrier adjusted its operating model and commercial identity under new management in 2009. Scheduled services to Ilhéus, Maceió, and Porto Seguro were converted into regular charter operations in March, while services from Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont to Brasília, São Paulo–Guarulhos, and Belo Horizonte–Confins were introduced in April. The airline also unveiled a new logo and slogan during that period. Although it informally used the WJ prefix in Brazil, its official IATA designator was WH. WebJet experienced a major operational disruption in September 2010, when it cancelled more than half of its scheduled flights on a single day. Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, known as ANAC, temporarily prohibited the airline from selling tickets for five days while it examined the causes. Sales and operations subsequently resumed. In 2011, VRG Linhas Aéreas, the company associated with the Gol and Varig brands, announced an agreement to acquire WebJet. The purchase contract was signed in August 2011 and received final regulatory approval in October 2012, subject to operational restrictions. WebJet and Gol initially continued to operate as separate brands, but the integration process began before the transaction was completed. WebJet’s website began redirecting customers to Gol’s website, and Gol announced plans to renew WebJet’s fleet by replacing its Boeing 737-300 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s. That fleet and brand strategy was not carried through as originally announced. On November 23, 2012, WebJet abruptly ceased independent operations, and its services were absorbed by Gol. WebJet passengers were to be rebooked onto Gol flights without additional charges. The shutdown resulted in approximately 850 job losses across flight operations, cabin crew, airport, and administrative functions. The entire WebJet fleet was grounded, with the older Boeing 737-300s scheduled for return to lessors and the newer 737-800 aircraft returned to Gol. WebJet therefore became a defunct airline and a former Gol-controlled brand rather than continuing as a distinct carrier.
History
WebJet was established in 2004 by Rogério Ottoni as a proposed low-cost Brazilian airline. The company initially considered operating a leased McDonnell Douglas MD-82 formerly registered to Lion Air, but abandoned that plan after the December 2004 Lion Air Flight 538 accident. It changed its fleet plan to the Boeing 737-300 and began flying on July 12, 2005. Its first services linked Rio de Janeiro–Galeão with Porto Alegre, Curitiba, and Salvador, using an aircraft previously operated by Varig. In January 2006, WebJet was sold to Jacob Barata Filho and Wagner Abrahão, investors associated with transportation and tourism businesses in Rio de Janeiro. A second aircraft joined the fleet in November. The airline was acquired again on June 25, 2007, this time by CVC Viagens, a major Brazilian tour operator. CVC sought to use WebJet to support its own travel business and reduce dependence on scheduled airlines, especially TAM. Fleet growth accelerated after the acquisition, allowing WebJet to add destinations and increase frequencies. Management and network changes followed in 2009. Wagner Ferreira replaced Paulo Enrique Coco as chief executive on February 13. In March, scheduled flights to Ilhéus, Maceió, and Porto Seguro were converted into regular charter destinations. On April 27, WebJet added flights from Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont to Brasília, São Paulo–Guarulhos, and Belo Horizonte–Confins, while retaining its Galeão operation. The same day, the airline presented a new logo and slogan. WebJet’s informal Brazilian flight prefix was WJ, although its official IATA code was WH. Ferreira left the presidency in February 2010 and was succeeded by Julio Rudge Perotti, previously vice-president of operations. Fernando Sporleder joined as vice-president of operations in July, moving from a comparable role at TAM. The company encountered a serious service disruption on September 27, 2010, when it cancelled more than half of its scheduled flights for the day. ANAC responded by suspending ticket sales for five days while it investigated. The carrier then resumed sales and scheduled operations. Ownership discussions involving CVC attracted attention in 2011, including reports that CVC’s owners were considering a transaction involving TUI. The more consequential development came in July, when VRG Linhas Aéreas, the company behind the Gol and Varig brands, announced its intention to purchase WebJet. The purchase contract was signed on August 2, 2011. Gol stated in November that WebJet’s fleet would be renewed, with Boeing 737-300 aircraft replaced by Boeing 737-800s over an anticipated 12-to-18-month period. The acquisition received final regulatory approval on October 10, 2012, subject to operational restrictions. The companies initially retained separate operations, but integration had already started: sales requests made through WebJet’s website were redirected to Gol. The planned continuation of WebJet as a separate brand did not occur. On November 23, 2012, WebJet ceased operating, and its services were incorporated into Gol. Passengers holding WebJet tickets were to be transferred to Gol flights without additional payment. The shutdown eliminated roughly 850 jobs and grounded the WebJet fleet. Gol planned to return the Boeing 737-300s to their lessors and return the 737-800s to Gol. WebJet consequently became a defunct airline after approximately seven years of commercial operation.
- 2012
Regulatory approval and closure
[1]The acquisition received final approval in October, and WebJet stopped operating independently on November 23.
- 2011
Gol agrees to acquire WebJet
[1]VRG Linhas Aéreas announced an agreement to purchase full control of WebJet.
- 2010
ANAC sales suspension
[1]ANAC temporarily barred WebJet from selling tickets following extensive flight cancellations.
- 2009
Network and identity repositioning
[1]WebJet adjusted its scheduled and charter network and introduced a new logo and slogan.
- 2007
CVC Viagens acquisition
[1]CVC Viagens purchased WebJet and subsequently supported fleet and network expansion.
- 2006
Second ownership phase
[1]Jacob Barata Filho and Wagner Abrahão acquired the airline.
- 2005
Commercial launch
[1]WebJet began domestic operations on July 12 with a Boeing 737-300 from Rio de Janeiro–Galeão.
- 2004
WebJet is founded
[1]Rogério Ottoni founded WebJet as a proposed Brazilian low-cost airline.
Products and positioning
A Brazilian low-cost, all-economy domestic airline focused on affordable air travel, route expansion, and support for tour-operator traffic.
Airline service · 2005
Scheduled domestic passenger flights
WebJet’s core product was low-cost domestic air transportation within Brazil. The airline operated an all-economy cabin and served a network centered on Rio de Janeiro, with routes to major Brazilian business, tourism, and regional destinations including São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Florianópolis. The service model emphasized domestic connectivity and price competition rather than international operations or premium cabins.
Charter aviation · 2009
Charter and tour-package flights
Under CVC Viagens ownership, WebJet also supported charter-oriented travel activity. In 2009, services to Ilhéus, Maceió, and Porto Seguro were shifted from scheduled operations to regular charter destinations. This offering connected the airline with CVC’s package-tour business and helped distinguish portions of its network from conventional scheduled airline traffic.
Digital distribution
WebJet online ticketing
The airline sold tickets through its own website and other distribution channels during its independent operation. During the 2012 integration with Gol, requests made through WebJet’s website began redirecting customers to Gol’s site, reflecting the progressive withdrawal of WebJet’s independent commercial infrastructure.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009New logo and slogan launch
Brazil
WebJet introduced a revised logo and slogan as part of a broader commercial and network repositioning under new leadership.
Outcome. The rebranding accompanied route changes and an effort to make the airline more competitive, but the brand was later absorbed into Gol.
Brand decisions
2012
Integration into GolM&ABackground
Following final regulatory approval, Gol and WebJet initially retained separate operations, but commercial integration had already begun.
Action taken
WebJet ceased independent flying on November 23, with passengers transferred to Gol and the fleet withdrawn from service.
Aftermath
The WebJet brand disappeared as an operating airline, approximately 850 jobs were lost, and aircraft were grounded or returned to lessors.
2011
Gol agrees to acquire WebJetM&ABackground
WebJet was owned by CVC Viagens, while VRG Linhas Aéreas controlled the Gol and Varig brands.
Action taken
VRG announced an agreement for full control of WebJet, signed the purchase contract in August 2011, and pursued regulatory approval.
Aftermath
The transaction was approved in October 2012 and led to the eventual withdrawal of the WebJet brand.
2011
Planned Boeing 737 fleet renewalGeneration changeBackground
After announcing the acquisition, Gol said WebJet’s Boeing 737-300 fleet would be modernized.
Action taken
Gol announced plans to replace the 737-300 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s over approximately 12 to 18 months.
Aftermath
The separate WebJet operation ended before the announced fleet-renewal plan could establish a continuing WebJet brand.
2009
Restructure scheduled and charter flyingStrategyBackground
Management sought to improve competitiveness and align parts of the network with the airline’s tour-operator ownership.
Action taken
Scheduled services to Ilhéus, Maceió, and Porto Seguro were converted into regular charter destinations, while new Santos Dumont routes were added.
Aftermath
WebJet maintained both scheduled domestic flying and charter-oriented activity while expanding its presence at Rio de Janeiro airports.
2005
Switch from MD-82 to Boeing 737-300 launch fleetStrategyBackground
WebJet originally planned to begin operations with a leased MD-82, but abandoned that plan after the Lion Air Flight 538 disaster.
Action taken
The airline selected the Boeing 737-300 instead and launched commercial service with a former Varig aircraft.
Aftermath
The Boeing 737-300 became the main aircraft type associated with WebJet’s early operating model.
Recent events
- 2012
Regulators approve Gol’s acquisition of WebJet[1]
M&A · Regulation
The transaction received final approval in October, with operational restrictions. WebJet’s customer sales channels had already begun moving toward Gol’s website.
- 2012
WebJet ceases operations and is absorbed by Gol[1]
M&A · Leadership change · Other
WebJet ended independent operations on November 23. Its passengers were to be rebooked onto Gol flights, its aircraft were grounded, and about 850 positions were lost.
- 2011
Gol announces agreement to acquire WebJet[1]
M&A
VRG Linhas Aéreas, associated with Gol and Varig, announced its intention to acquire full control of WebJet in July; the purchase contract was signed in August.
- 2010
ANAC temporarily suspends WebJet ticket sales after mass cancellations[1]
Regulation
After more than half of the airline’s scheduled flights were cancelled on September 27, ANAC prohibited new ticket sales for five days while investigating the disruption. Sales and operations later resumed.
- 2009
WebJet changes routes and unveils a new brand identity[1]
Campaign
The airline converted several routes to charter operations, added services from Santos Dumont, and introduced a new logo and slogan.
- 2007
CVC Viagens acquires WebJet[1]
M&A
The Brazilian tour operator purchased WebJet to reduce reliance on regular airlines and strengthen its package-tour and charter capabilities.
- 2006
WebJet is sold to new Brazilian transport and tourism investors[1]
M&A
Jacob Barata Filho and Wagner Abrahão acquired the airline and supported the addition of a second aircraft later that year.
- 2005
WebJet begins commercial operations[1]
Other
The airline launched domestic service from Rio de Janeiro–Galeão to Porto Alegre, Curitiba, and Salvador using a Boeing 737-300 formerly operated by Varig.
Sources1 sources
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