GOL receives Boeing aircraft with improved engine performance

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4 and NYSE: GOL),(S&P/Fitch: BB-/BB-,Moody’s: Ba3), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft with CFM56-7BE engines, which were developed with turbine pressure changes and other improvements that reduce drag, reducing friction of the aircraft with the air, cutting fuel consumption up to 2% over the currently-used CFM56-7B1 engines.

“GOL continues to do everything possible to diminish fuel consumption and emissions, further reducing its operating costs”, pointed out Adalberto Bogsan, GOL’s Technical Vice-President.

“GOL continues to show its leadership throughout the world’s airlines,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Boeing Sales for Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. “In just its first 10 years of operation, GOL has entered the ranks of the world’s top five 737 operators and is included in the exclusive club of airlines with at least 200 737 airplanes in its fleet including the airline’s current operating fleet and backlog of more than 90 737s.”

The new engine is part of the performance improvement package Boeing began testing in 737 aircraft in November 2010 in order to reduce fuel consumption. The manufacturer will also be adding other new features focused on the efficient use of jet fuel as early as 2012. Boeing’s constant efforts to improve the operation of its 737NGs have already resulted in fuel savings of 4 to 6 percent since the first aircraft was delivered in 1998.