GOL advances fleet renewal plan with leasing 11 737 Max 8 aircraft

Photo Boeing

The premier Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes has said this week that it will speed up its fleet renewal plans by signing a deal to lease 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from leasing specialist Avolon.

Better than expected market conditions have allowed the carrier to move forward at a rapidly advanced pace with the modernisation plans for the new aircraft which are scheduled to start arriving in the second half of 2019. 

GOL is also putting up for sale a number of  Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft under operating and finance leases as the new aircraft arrive. "We acquired the 737 MAX to make GOL's operations even more efficient and to offer our passengers additional flights aboard new and even more modern and safe aircraft. The 737 MAX exceeds the expected performance on every count," said Paulo Kakinoff, CEO of GOL. "We've been very impressed with the MAX's superior range, fuel efficiency and reliability. By accelerating our fleet renewal plan to this new technology, we will be able to further reduce our costs and open up more international destinations for our customers." 

GOL's impressive November figures

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, Brazil's premier domestic airline, announced its preliminary air traffic figures for the month of November 2018, earlier this week which showed a steady increase in performance when compared to last year.   GOL's domestic supply (ASK) and demand (RPK) increased by 1.1% and 2.9%, respectively. GOL's domestic load factor was 83.7%, a 1.5 p.p. increase in comparison to November 2017. The volume of departures decreased by 2.4% and seats increased by 1.9% over November 2017. The airlines' supply (ASK) and demand (RPK) increased by 27.5% and 30.8%, respectively, and international load factor was 76.0%, an increase of 1.9 p.p. in relation to November 2017.  GOL's total supply (ASK) increased 4.0% due to a 1.9% increase in seats and a 2.0% decrease in departures. GOL's total demand (RPK) increased 5.7% in comparison to November 2017 and consolidated load factor was 82.6%.

GOL reports third-quarter and year to date results

Earlier this week, GOL Linhas Aéreas announced its consolidated results for the third quarter of 2018 along with that of the nine months of 2018 which shows revenues increased by 2.2% but load factor fell slightly. The airline also expects its revenues to fall looking ahead to the full year of 2018 and 2019. 

GOL Partners with Gogo for Connected Aircraft Services

One of Brazil's leading airlines, GOL Linhas Aereas and the leading global provider of broadband connectivity products and services to the aviation industry, Gogo, announced this week that GOL will become the launch partner for Gogo's Aircraft Data Service, Wireless Quick Access Recorder and Automated Turbulence Reporting – tapping into aircraft data to drive operational efficiency. 

Gogo's partnership with GOL launches a new business line for Gogo, and enables GOL to access real-time information, streamline processes, and generate new service opportunities by securely bonding aircraft data through Gogo's 2Ku high-speed global satellite connectivity system.

GOL becomes launch partner for Gogo's

data management and operational solutions

GOL launches technology innovation lab

Brazil's largest airline has launched GOLlabs, a new business unit focused on technological innovations for products and services.  

"GOL invests in innovative products and services that enhance our Customers' flight experience," says Eduardo Bernardes, GOL's sales and marketing vice president. "GOL is a leader in flight innovation. It was the first Brazilian airline to sell tickets online, the first in South America to offer in-flight wi-fi and the first in the world to offer "Selfie Check-in" and to provide flight status updates via its mobile app. Through GOLlabs, we are leveraging the culture of innovation to come up with the next big thing in flight technology.

Based in Sao Paulo, GOLlabs' multidisciplinary team brings together experts from across the company, including marketing professionals, airport experts, developers, designers, product leaders and scrum masters. GOLlabs will focus on developing technological solutions that improve the flight experience for the 32 million Customers a year that fly with GOL.

GOL launches flights to Florida

Following news of its large order for Boeing 737 Max aircraft, the Brazillian airline GOL has announced the launch of direct flights from Brazil to US destinations, including the Florida hotspots of Miami and Orlando.  These new services will start on 4th November this year and will be operated by carriers brand new 737 MAX 8 aircraft. 

"Our launch of direct flights to the U.S. marks a new era for GOL, as we expand our international operations beyond Latin America," says Eduardo Bernardes GOL's sales and marketing vice president. "Over the past 17 years as Brazil's largest airline, we have been leaders in punctuality and Customer satisfaction. We are now looking to replicate that success in markets abroad, where we see significant opportunities for growth."

GOL shows off its first 737 Max 8

GOL Linhas Aéreas today celebrated the unveiling of the carrier's newly outfitted Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft during a celebration in Sao Paulo. 

"Today is an exciting day for the entire GOL team, we are happy to welcome the 737 Max 8. We can further improve our operational efficiency by flying a young, modern and safe fleet, while also lowering the cost of air travel and expanding our network to new international destinations," said Paulo Kakinoff, Chief Executive Officer of GOL.

The Brazilian airline took delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 this year and has been improving onboard products and services, such as adding wireless internet to the popular Boeing Sky Interior cabin. The airline is now outfitting its second 737 MAX aeroplane – which it received last week – with the same cabin amenities.

As part of its strategic fleet renewal program, GOL has placed multiple orders for the 737 MAX, including a new order last month at the Farnborough International Airshow. In all, GOL is on track to become the largest MAX operator in Latin America with a fleet of 135 MAX aeroplanes.

GOL's second quarter operating income doubles

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, the Brazillian airline has released its second-quarter 2018 results this week and the airline has done well, its operating income doubles and net revenues grow by 9% to a net revenue for the quarter of R$2.4 billion. The airline's load factor didn't move a great deal, ever so slightly up at 78.1%, which makes in the increase in revenue more surprising. However, this was achieved by higher prices and a greater cost awareness within the organisation. 

"We expect to continually drive our operational efficiency and capacity rationalization. In June, we took delivery of our first 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which enable GOL to serve Brazil's large addressable market of passengers travelling between Midwest/Northeast Brazil and the State of Florida," commented Paulo Kakinoff, the carriers CEO.

A rush of orders for Boeing on the first day of Farnborough International Air Show - but are they new?

The US giant manufacturer Boeing proudly announced a huge rush of orders on the first day of the Farnborough International Air Show 2018, with orders coming from various customers including DHL, Jackson Square Aviation, United Airlines, GOL, Goshawk Aviation, TAROM and Qatar. Yet, new orders, they seem not to be.

The freight and package delivery experts DHL order 14 777  Freighter aircraft with an option for 7 further aircraft. Although the order was announced at FIA 2018, it had been made in previous months, Boeing listed the customer as 'Unidentified' on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website. Once the new aircraft are delivered, they will double DHL's fleet of 777 freighter aircraft. 

Qatar Airways operates a fleet of 13 777 Freighters and two 747-8 Freighters and finalised a deal to buy a further five 777 freighters at FIA 2018, with the list price value of $1.7 billion. Again this is deal that had previously been agreed and was announced as a commitment back in April, so is not a new order. "I am delighted to be further enhancing our cargo fleet and adding five Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft," said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. "In the past 15 years, Qatar Airways Cargo has grown steadily and globally, becoming the third largest in the world. We could not have achieved this success without our resilient relationship with Boeing."

Boeing said that United Airlines has ordered four more 787-9 aeroplanes. The deal, valued at about $1.1 billion per current list prices, was finalized this year and was previously listed as unidentified on the manufacturer's Orders & Deliveries website again, so should not be seen as a new order.

"These new 787 aircraft are another step in our wide-body replacement strategy, and we will continue to roll out new announcements in the future as we implement our comprehensive fleet plan," said Gerry Laderman, United's senior vice president of finance and acting chief financial officer. "The 787 allows us to provide our customers with an industry-leading onboard experience and continues to be a vital part of our fleet."  With this latest purchase, United Airlines has now ordered 55 787 Dreamliners. Nearly half of all 787 customers have placed repeat orders for the aeroplane.

Expanded Delta-GOL codeshare connects Florida to Brasilia and Fortaleza

Delta Air Lines and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes SA announced last week they would cooperate on a codeshare deal for four daily non-stop codeshare flights connecting Miami and Orlando with Fortaleza and Brasilia.

"This is the most significant expansion we have done with GOL since last year, when we announced international codeshare in South America, and it is the next step as we grow our alliance partnership," said Luciano Macagno, Delta's Managing Director - Latin America and the Caribbean. "Codesharing on these flights shows our commitment to Brazil and to Florida and our desire to offer our customers more access between Northern Brazil and the U.S."

Brazilian airline GOL releases preliminary traffic figures for April 2018

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., announced today preliminary air traffic figures for the month of April, 2018. Comparisons refer to the same period of 2017.

Highlights
The total volume of GOL departures increased by 0.6% and the number of seats was up 1.0% in April, resulting in an increase in total supply (ASKs) of 0.8%. GOL's total load factor was 79.9% in April 2018, 0.9 p.p up over the same period of 2017, due to the growth in GOL's total demand (RPK) of 1.9% in the period.
In the domestic market, volume of departures and number of seats increased by 1.1% and 1.4%, respectively over April 2017, resulting in an increase in GOL domestic supply (ASK) of 1.3%. GOL domestic demand (RPK) grew by 3.0% and GOL's domestic load factor was up 1.3 p.p in comparison to the same month of the previous year, achieving 80.5%.
In April 2018, GOL's international market supply (ASK) and demand (RPK) decreased by 3.6% and 7.2%, respectively, decreasing international load factor by 2.9 p.p. in relation to April 2017.

March figures for GOL released

 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes announced today its preliminary air traffic figures for the month of March 2018. 

The carriers load factor for March this year was 78.5% up slightly from last year.  Domestic load factor was slightly up despite a reduction on the number of seats the airline offered. International operations scored 78.4% loads this year, a decrease of 2.1% from the same month last year. 

GOL's international supply and demand rose by 15.9% and 12.9%, respectively. GOL is Brazil's largest airline group carrying 33 million passengers annually on more than 700 daily flights to 66 destinations, 55 in Brazil and 11 in South America and the Caribbean. The airline currently has a fleet of around 120 Boeing 737 aircraft and has an order in for 120 737 Max.

GOL preliminary traffic figures for December 2017

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes  Brazil's #1 airline, announced today preliminary air traffic figures for the month of December 2017. Comparisons refer to the same period of 2016.

GOL's Highlights

The total volume of GOL departures increased by 3.4% and the number of seats was up 3.5% in December, resulting in an increase in supply of 5.5%. GOL's load factor was 81.0% in December 2017, 2.0 p.p. up over the same period of 2016, due to a growth in demand of 8.2% in the period.

In the domestic market, the volume of departures and number of seats increased by 3.0% and 3.1%, respectively over December 2016. In addition, GOL increased its supply by 4.5% in December over the same period the year before, while demand grew by 7.0%. GOL's Load factor was up 1.9 p.p. in comparison to the same month of the previous year, achieving 81.4%.

In December 2017, GOL's international market supply and demand rose by 14.5% and 19.3%, respectively, increasing load factor by 3.2 p.p. in relation to the same period of 2016.

GOL's November

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.  Brazil's number 1 airline, announced its preliminary air traffic figures for the month of November 2017, yesterday.

GOL's October Numbers

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, known for short as GOL, Brazil's number one airline, announced its preliminary air traffic figures for the month of October, 2017.                                                                      

The total volume of GOL departures increased by 0.5% and the number of seats was up 0.3% in October, resulting in an increase in supply of 1.9%. GOL's load factor was 80.6% in October 2017, 4.6 p.p. up over the same period of 2016, due to a growth in demand of 8.1% in the period.

In the domestic market, volume of departures and the number of seats increased by 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively over October 2016. In addition, GOL increased its supply by 1.7% in October over the same period the year before, while demand grew by 9.1%. GOL's Load factor was up 5.5 p.p. in comparison to the same month of the previous year, achieving 81.4%.

In October, GOL's international market supply and demand rose by 3.9% and 0.3, respectively, reducing load factor by 2.7 p.p. in relation to the same period of 2016.

Brazil’s Gol Airline Beckons Foreign Buyers After Vote

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil’s biggest airline is opening the door to a potential suitor with a stock restructuring that will allow greater foreign ownership.

Shareholders of Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA voted Monday to approve a measure that will reduce its dependence on the controlling Constantino family. Non-voting shareholders also gained the ability to hold board seats. That may increase Gol’s appeal to investors from abroad or even lead to an eventual takeover of the $830 million carrier, among the cheapest in the Americas.

Brazil’s airlines resemble U.S. carriers a decade ago, before a recession and high fuel prices forced consolidation and cost cuts, said Rob Pickels, an analyst and portfolio manager at Manning & Napier. Gol and the rest of the Brazilian industry will go through a similar process that will leave it more financially sound, he said.