PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
Jardim Aeroporto
04630-000 São Paulo, São Paulo
Federative Republic of Brazil
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F ______
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whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is
also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule
12g3-2(b) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ______ No ___X___
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
São Paulo, December 16, 2004 – GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), Brazil’s low-fare, low-cost airline, announced today that is moving forward with its plans to acquire new aircraft. GOL informed Boeing of its intent to exercise four more purchase options for 737-800 Next Generation in January 2005.
This transaction is part of an agreement, signed in May of this year, for the acquisition of up to 43 737-800 Next Generation aircraft (15 of which were firm orders, and 28 of which were purchase options). With this new agreement and the exercise of two other purchase options in July 2004, GOL will be increasing the number of its firm orders to a total of 21 aircraft to be delivered between 2006 and 2009. The total transaction is valued at approximately R$ 3.4 billion.
The exercise of four more purchase options confirms the acceleration of the Company’s expansion plans to meet growing customer demand, in addition to its high aircraft utilization (13.9 block hours per day in the third quarter 2004) and high load factors.
“The replacement of the leased fleet by a proprietary one will allow us to structurally modify the aircraft and accommodate more travelers while serving certain destinations with more frequent service”, affirms David Barioni Neto, GOL’s Technical Vice-President. “These structural changes, for example, will enable 737-800 to land in Santos Dumont airport (Rio de Janeiro), thereby improving the offer of shuttle service between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, currently served only by 737-700”.
In addition, owned aircraft will also enable GOL to reduce its costs, as the financial expenses of the aircraft financing (guaranteed by the U.S. EXIMBANK) will be lower than the financial costs of the leased aircraft currently incurred by the Company.
About GOL Linhas Aéreas
Inteligentes
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, a “low-cost, low-fare” airline, is one
of the most profitable and fastest growing airlines in the industry worldwide. GOL
operates a simplified fleet with a single-class of service. It also has one of the
youngest and most modern fleets in the industry that results in low maintenance, fuel
and training costs, and therefore high aircraft utilization and efficiency ratios.
In addition, safe and reliable services, which stimulate GOL’s brand recognition and
customer satisfaction, allow GOL to have the best cost-benefit service in the market.
GOL currently offers service to 36 major business and travel destinations in Brazil,
with substantial expansion opportunities. By the year-end, GOL plans to grow by
increasing frequencies in existing markets and adding service to additional markets
in both Brazil and other high-traffic South American travel destinations. GOL
listed its shares on the NYSE and the Bovespa in June 2004.
| For additional information please contact: | |
| Media - International: | Media - Brazil: |
| Gavin Anderson | MVL Comunicação |
| Gabriela Juncadella | Juliana Cabrini or Roberta Corbioli |
| Ph: 212-515-1957 | Ph: (5511) 3049-0343 / 0342 |
| e-mail: GJuncadella@GavinAnderson.com | e-mail: juliana.cabrini@mvl.com.br |
Investor Relations:
Ph: (5511) 5033 4393
e-mail:ri@golnaweb.com.br
www.voegol.com.br (IR section)
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the prospects of the business, estimates for operating and financial results, and those related to growth prospects of GOL. These are merely projections and, as such, are based exclusively on the expectations of GOL’s management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Company’s business plan. Such forward-looking statements depend, substantially, on changes in market conditions, government regulations, competitive pressures, the performance of the Brazilian economy and the industry, among other factors and risks disclosed in GOL’s filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice.
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GOL LINHAS AÉREAS INTELIGENTES S.A.
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| By: |
/S/
Richard F. Lark, Jr.
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Name: Richard F. Lark, Jr.
Title: Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.