Brazil's GOL Orders Up To 43 Boeing 737-800s

Boeing and Brazil's GOL Linhas Aereaes SA, one of the world's most profitable airlines, Monday announced the airline has ordered 43 737-800 passenger airplanes worth up to US $2.7 billion at list prices.

GOL begins receiving the 15 firm-ordered 737-800s between 2007 and 2009. GOL holds purchase rights for the remainder which can be exercised between 2005 and 2010. The agreement represents one of the region's largest such transactions.

"Boeing's willingness to work closely with us to meet all of our needs is an example of Boeing's commitment to Brazil and Latin America," said Constantino Oliveira, Jr. GOL's President and CEO.

Despite financial losses by Brazil's other major carriers, GOL has garnered international attention by consistently posting profits since beginning operations in 2001. Oliveira credits the success to technological innovations including a sophisticated computerized check-in procedure for its fleet of advanced Boeing Next-Generation 737s.

"It is especially gratifying to partner with GOL, whose outstanding Boeing 737 operation has generated consistent profitability even during the difficult economic times of the past few years," said John Wojick, Boeing's vice president of sales for the Caribbean and Latin America. "Boeing is proud of its contribution to GOL's success and the Brazilian economy."

Wojick said various types of aerodynamic modifications are being analyzed for the 737-800 which will be evaluated in wind tunnel testing later in the year.

The new 737-800s will join the 18 737-700s and four 737-800s GOL now operates, continuing GOL's use of the highly successful single-type fleet model pioneered by U.S. low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines.

FMI: www.boeing.com