SEATTLE and SAO PAULO, Brazil, May 17, 2004 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Brazil's GOL Linhas Aereaes S.A., one of the world's most profitable airlines, today 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.
The Next-Generation 737 is the newest and most technologically advanced single-aisle airplane in its class and flies further (305 nm) and with operating costs four to 10 percent lower than the A320. The Next-Generation 737 is the most popular single aisle airplane and the fastest selling airplane of all time. Boeing delivered the 1,500th Next-Generation 737 on May 14 in Seattle.
