Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ______ No ___X___
São Paulo, October 30, 2006 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL; Bovespa: GOLL4), Brazils low-cost, low-fare airline, announced today that it has increased the number of firm orders from 67 to 87 aircraft, as part of the Companys ongoing expansion and cost reduction plans. The contract is the largest signed between Boeing and a Latin American company. GOL also increased the number of options by 20 aircraft, bringing the total order size to 121 Next Generation 737-800 aircraft.
The first aircraft under the order was added to GOLs fleet on July 30, 2006. Per GOLs request, Boeing developed the 737-800 with short runway take-off and landing capabilities. GOLs new 737-800s are equipped with winglets, which reduce fuel consumption by approximately three percent. In addition to lowering operating costs, winglets provide better flight performance, the ability to operate longer non-stop flights, and reduced noise during take-off. The 737-800 is also larger than the 737-700 and can carry up to 30 percent more passengers.
The Company also announced that it has increased its fleet plan between 2006 and 2012 to meet increasing demand for passenger air travel in Brazil and South America. Boeing estimates traffic growth in South America at 7.4 percent annually over the next five years, the second highest passenger growth in any region in the world after China. The Boeing 737-800 NG, with its low operating costs, is a key part of GOLs strategy of popularizing air travel in South America.
GOL currently operates 56 Boeing 737 aircraft. The Company increased its fleet plan by one 737-800 NG and two 737-300s in 2006, and three 737-800s and two 737-300s in 2007 and 2008. The increase in firm orders of 737-800 NGs will add four new aircraft to the fleet in 2009, eight in 2010, five in 2011 and three in 2012. GOLs revised fleet plan is presented in the table below:
GOLs Fleet Plan | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
141-seat B 300s | 14 | 14 | 12 | 7 | - | - | - |
144-seat B 700 NGs | 30 | 30 | 28 | 21 | 20 | 10 | 10 |
187-seat B 800 NGs (1) | 21 | 36 | 46 | 60 | 72 | 84 | 91 |
Total | 65 | 80 | 86 | 88 | 92 | 94 | 101 |
(1) Including sale-leasebacks. |
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About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes is one of the most profitable and fastest growing low-cost, low-fare airlines in the industry worldwide. GOL provides frequent service on routes connecting all of Brazils major cities as well as primary
destinations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay through its more than 530 daily flights to 55 major airports. GOL offers daily flights to more destinations in Brazil than any other domestic airline while providing customers with the
most convenient flight schedules in the country. GOL operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737s, the safest and most comfortable aircraft of its class, with low maintenance, fuel and training costs, and high aircraft utilization and efficiency
ratios. In addition to safe and reliable service, which stimulates GOLs brand recognition and customer satisfaction, the Companys single class of service is recognized as the best value proposition in the market. GOLs growth plans
include increasing frequencies in existing markets and adding service to additional markets in both Brazil and other high-traffic South American travel destinations. GOL shares are listed on the NYSE and the Bovespa. GOL: here everyone can fly!
For more information, flight times and fares, please access our site at www.voegol.com.br or call: 0300-789-2121 in Brasil, 0810-266-3131 in Argentina, 800-1001-21 in Bolívia, 0004 055 127 in Uruguay, 009 800 55 1 0007 in Paraguay, 1 888 0042 0090 or 1230 020 9104 in Chile, and 55 11 2125-3200 in other countries.
CONTACT: GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. | ||
Investor Relations | Corporate Communications | |
Ph: (5511) 3169 6800 | Ph: (5511) 3169 6449 | |
E-mail: ri@golnaweb.com.br | E-mail: rcorbioli@golnaweb.com.br | |
www.voegol.com.br/ir | ||
Media U.S. & Europe | ||
Media Brazil & Latin America | Edelman; G. Juncadella and M. Smith | |
MVL Comunicação; Camila Silva | Ph: +1 (212) 704-4448 / 704-8196 | |
Ph: (5511) 3049-0343 / 3049-0341 | E-mail: gabriela.juncadella@edelman.com | |
e-mail: Camila@mvl.com.br | meaghan.smith@edelman.com |
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the prospects of the business, estimates for operating and financial results, and those related to growth prospects of GOL. These are merely projections and, as such, are based exclusively on the expectations of GOLs management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Companys business plan. Such forward-looking statements depend, substantially, on changes in market conditions, government regulations, competitive pressures, the performance of the Brazilian economy and the industry, among other factors and risks disclosed in GOLs filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice.
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GOL LINHAS AÉREAS INTELIGENTES S.A.
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By: |
/S/
Richard F. Lark, Jr. | |
Name: Richard F. Lark, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.