GOL Linhas Aereas
Inteligentes S.A.
Brazil’s low-cost, low-fare
airline, announced that it has increased the size of its total order for
Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft to 101 from 63 in support of its
continued expansion.The revised order doubles firm orders for Boeing 737-800s to 60 and
increases purchase options to 41, totaling 101 aircraft, scheduled for
delivery between 2006 and 2012.  The options, which lend greater flexibility
to the Company’s already adaptable expansion plans, are exercisable between
2007 and 2012.  GOL currently operates 35 Boeing 737 aircraft, 10 of which are
737-800 Next-Generations.
  “While the Next-Generation aircraft is already among the fastest and most
technologically advanced products, the new 737s will also be fitted with
winglets, which will further improve fuel efficiency by over four percent,”
said Constantino de Oliveira Junior, GOL’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our fleet
plan supports profitable growth by keeping costs low so that we can expand our
route network and offer the most competitive fares to more customers.”
  In addition to lower operating costs, winglets offer other benefits,
including increased range, improved takeoff performance and obstacle
clearance, as well as reduced noise on takeoff. By improving overall
performance of the aircraft, this feature will provide GOL with added
flexibility in both its route selection and fleet operations.
  “As one of the industry’s leading low-cost carriers, GOL has seen
incredible growth over the past few years,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes
President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. “We value our partnership
with GOL and we are extremely proud of the role our Next-Generation 737—the
most modern, efficient and reliable airplane in its class—will have in the
airline’s plans for future expansion.”
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