Brazilian carrier GOL is set to resume flying the Boeing 737 MAX on commercial routes in its domestic network.

Starting 9 December, the carrier will be operating the aircraft on routes to and from its hub in São Paulo.

Boeing has temporarily grounded its 737 MAX since March 2019, following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that claimed 346 lives.

With currently seven Boeing 737 MAX in its fleet, GOL plans to operate all of them by the end of this month.

The carrier will gradually reincorporate the aircraft into the company’s flight schedules in alignment depending on the operational requirement.

GOL’s decision to re-integrate the MAX-8 into its fleet came after it conducted training for 140 of its pilots in conjunction with Boeing. It met all the new technical and operational requirements approved by the FAA and ANAC.

GOL currently has 95 737 MAX aircraft in its order book, which are scheduled for delivery in 2022-2032.

GOL CEO Paulo Kakinoff said: “We are pleased about the return of the Boeing 737 MAX to our network. The MAX is one of the most efficient aircraft in aviation history and the only one to undergo a complete recertification process, ensuring the highest levels of safety and reliability.

“We are grateful to the authorities who took part in the validation stages, especially ANAC, which played a leading role in the certification, alongside other international regulators, thanks to its renowned competence and technical skills. We reiterate our trust in Boeing, our exclusive partner since GOL’s inception in 2001.”

Late last month, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) started its preparation to return grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service after completing test flights in Vancouver, Canada, in September.