Brazilian Airline Gol announced today that it has increased its number of firm orders from 67 to 87 aircraft as part of the Company’s ongoing expansion and cost-reduction plans. It intends to have 101 aircraft by 2012.
The contract is the largest signed between Boeing and a Latin American company, according to the airline. Gol also increased the number of options by 20 aircraft, bringing the total order size to 121 Next Generation 737-800 aircraft.
The company operates now 56 Boeing 737 planes and should receive eight new aircraft through 2008. The idea is to reduce costs and improve competitivity in the next five years, when Brazil’s air traffic is forecasted to increase 7.4% a year.
The first aircraft under the order was added to Gol’s fleet on July 30, 2006. Per Gol’s request, Boeing developed the 737-800 with short runway take-off and landing capabilities.
Gol’s new 737-800s are equipped with winglets, which reduce fuel consumption by approximately 3%. In addition to lowering operating costs, winglets provide better flight performance, the ability to operate longer non-stop flights and reduce 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 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.