GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, Brazil’s low fare, low cost airline, announced today that the inaugural flight to Asuncion, Paraguay, has been confirmed for January 4, 2006. GOL will initially offer one flight per week, departing from Guarulhos airport (SP) at 9:10 PM—with a stop in Curitiba (PR)—and arriving in Asuncion at 11:25 PM.

Returning flights—Asuncion to Sao Paulo—will depart Asuncion at 5:00 AM and arrive at Guarulhos at 9:00 AM.

Paraguay, which has a population of six million, is the fifth most frequented destination by Brazilians flying to neighboring countries.

In 2003, approximately 144 thousand passengers traveled between Brazil and Paraguay.

A member of MERCOSUR (the South American trade bloc comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), Paraguay has a strong agricultural industry, particularly in the cultivation of soy, and in the export of energy from bi- national hydro-electrical plants in Itaipu and Yacireta.

“Asuncion is an important destination for GOL given Paraguay’s strong ties with Brazil and the significant demand for flights that exist between the two countries,” said Tarcisio Gargioni, Vice President of Marketing and Services at GOL.
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