SÃO PAULO, March 28, 2017
/PRNewswire/ -- GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. ("GOL" or
"Company"), (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4),
Brazil's largest domestic airline,
announces today the use of new cabin and seats technologies to
configure its fleet of new Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft and
reconfigure its fleet of Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG)
aircraft, increasing the number of seats by 5%, from current 177 to
186 seats. The new configuration to be completed by July 2018 will maintain GOL+Conforto
spaces throughout the Company's fleet, which have 34-inch pitch
(86.3cm space between seats) and 50% greater seatback recline, as
well as GOL Premium class on all international flights.
GOL has a unique fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, 93 of the 800 NG
model and 28 of the 700 model, making the Company Brazil's leader
in cost, punctuality and operational efficiency. A standardized
fleet is fundamental to operate the low cost carrier ("LCC") model,
as it allows the optimization of crew and maintenance, besides
allowing operational flexibility and high utilization of the
aircraft. Currently, GOL is the main customer of the 737 family in
Latin America and one of the five
largest in the world.
According to Celso Ferrer, GOL's
vice president of planning, "this new configuration will allow us
to remain leaders of comfort in the Brazilian domestic market,
reinforcing our commitment to customer satisfaction". GOL is the
airline with the largest number of seats in category "A" in the
market, according to the ANAC classification standard. With this
reconfiguration, GOL's 737-800 NG will reduce operating costs and
will have the same cost per seat compared to the A320neo model,
considering the current average stage-length of most domestic and
South American routes.
"The Boeing 737 MAX-8, equipped with state-of-the-art
technologies, delivers even better operating performance compared
to the A320neo, with a significant 8% less cost per seat", adds
Celso Ferrer. GOL has an order for
120 737 MAX-8 aircraft for delivery up to 2028, with 25 of them
between 2018 and 2020. The Company has flexibility in its fleet
plan and will increase the number of deliveries in this period,
further reducing its operational costs. "GOL is a key and valued
partner, we are committed to its success as they transition to the
737 MAX, which will provide them most efficient and comfortable
aircraft in its class" said Van Rex
Gallard, vice president of Boeing.
GOL's new 737 MAX-8s aircraft, which begin to arrive in the
second half of 2018, also will be configured with 186 seats and
GOL+Conforto spaces, as well as GOL Premium class on all
international flights. The 737 MAX-8 aircraft have flight autonomy
of up to 6,500 km (compared to 5,500 km of the 737-800 NG) which
gives the opportunity to offer non-stop flights from Brazil to Miami, Ft.
Lauderdale, Orlando and
Cancun, very popular destinations
for Brazilians.
GOL's customers will continue to enjoy the comfort of Sky
Interior cabin configuration, with LED lighting system, eco-leather
armchairs and new luggage bins, known as "Space bins", with a 50%
greater storage capacity (largest in its category). In addition,
the aircraft will be equipped with Wi-Fi antennas, allowing GOL
customers to access the internet and a complete on-board
entertainment platform during flights. "With customer comfort and
value as one of its main priorities, GOL continues to innovate and
be a leader in customer satisfaction and low cost operations" said
Van Rex Gallard.
All of these changes increase seat availability improve
productivity and reduce GOL's operating costs and, together with
the arrival of the 737 MAX-8, mark the resumption of growth and
modernization of the Company's fleet. "These movements demonstrate
the commitment and determination to achieve our purpose: to be a
global reference in providing the best passenger air travel service
at the lowest cost", concludes Celso
Ferrer.
For further information visit
www.voegol.com.br/ir
CONTACTS
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Phone: +55 (11) 2128-4700
E-mail: ri@voegol.com.br
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Phone: +55 (11) 2128-4183
E-mail: comcorp@voegol.com.br
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SOURCE GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.