GOL First to Resume Commercial Flights With Boeing 737 MAX

Rhea-AI Summary

GOL Linhas Aéreas, Brazil's largest domestic airline, is set to resume commercial flights with the Boeing 737 MAX starting December 9, after a thorough safety review by global aviation regulators. All seven MAX aircraft in GOL's fleet are expected to be operational by the end of December. GOL conducted extensive pilot training and technical flights to comply with FAA and ANAC requirements, emphasizing safety as a priority. The Boeing 737 MAX promises greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, aligning with GOL's expansion goals. The airline operates a single fleet of 127 Boeing aircraft and has orders for 95 additional MAX aircraft.

Positive

• GOL resumes commercial flights with the Boeing 737 MAX, enhancing operational capacity.
• All seven MAX aircraft will be operational by December, supporting fleet efficiency.
• The MAX's fuel efficiency and reduced emissions align with GOL's sustainability goals.
• GOL's extensive training program for pilots ensures safety compliance with FAA and ANAC.

Negative

• None.

SÃO PAULO, Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and B3: GOLL4), Brazil's largest domestic airline, today announces that it will resume flying the Boeing 737 MAX on commercial routes in its domestic network, starting December 9. The first flights will be on routes to and from the Company's hub in São Paulo. By the end of December, all seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in GOL's current fleet should be cleared to return fully to operation and will be gradually reincorporated into the Company's flight schedules in alignment with its operational needs.

"Our first priority is always the Safety of our Customers," says Celso Ferrer, VP of Operations at GOL and a commercial pilot who regularly flies Boeing planes and is already trained to fly the 737 MAX. "Over the past 20 months, we have watched the most comprehensive safety review in the history of commercial aviation unfold, bringing together regulatory agencies and airlines from around the world to monitor and contribute to the upgrades in aircraft systems and pilot training. Consequently, following the new certification of the Boeing 737 MAX by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, United States) and ANAC (National Agency Civil Aviation Administration, Brazil), we are fully confident in the MAX's return to service," Added Celso.

Before reintegrating the MAX-8 into its fleet, GOL conducted training for 140 of its pilots in conjunction with Boeing, meeting all the technical and operational requirements outlined in the plan approved by FAA and ANAC. The trainings took place in the United States using a MAX simulator. The Company also completed a rigorous series of technical flights, which exceeded the requirements set out by aviation regulatory agencies.

These Safety actions reinforced the meticulous work of removing the MAX-8 aircraft from storage by the aviation engineers at GOL Aerotech, the Company's business unit specialized in maintenance, repairs, aircraft servicing and components, based in Confins near the city of Belo Horizonte in southeast Brazil and where the aircraft were located for the past 20 months. The work performed by the Company professionals at every stage is a testament to GOL's culture of excellence in Safety.

The Company's experience and resources for maintaining Boeing aircraft also contributed to the ability to quickly and safely return the MAX to its network. GOL Aerotech is qualified to perform maintenance on Boeing 737 Next Generation, 737 Classic, 737 MAX and Boeing 767 family aircraft. With over 760 employees, including engineers and technicians, the business unit is able to service 80 aircraft per year on average and provide over 600,000 hours of maintenance. It is certified by national and international regulators such as ANAC, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, United States) and the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency).

GOL operates a single fleet of 127 Boeing aircraft, and has orders for 95 737 MAX aircraft to replace its NGs, scheduled for delivery in 2022-2032, making it one of Boeing's biggest customers. The 737 MAX is critical to GOL's expansion plans due to the greater fuel efficiency and reductions in carbon emissions. Advanced technology used in the engines, wings and command surfaces of the 737 MAX increase productivity by 24%, reduce fuel consumption by approximately 15%, and enable the aircraft to have a range of around 1,000 kilometers more (up to 6,500 km) compared with the current 737 NG aircraft. From the start of its operations with the Boeing 737 MAX-8 in June 2018, the Company made 2,933 flights, totaling more than 12,700 hours in the air.

CEO Paulo Kakinoff stated: "We are pleased about the return of the Boeing 737 MAX to our network. The MAX is one of the most efficient aircraft in aviation history and the only one to undergo a complete recertification process, ensuring the highest levels of safety and reliability. We are grateful to the authorities who took part in the validation stages, especially ANAC, which played a leading role in the certification, alongside other international regulators, thanks to its renowned competence and technical skills. We reiterate our trust in Boeing, our exclusive partner since GOL's inception in 2001."

Landon Loomis, Boeing's managing director in Brazil, added: "Boeing and GOL have been working side by side for almost twenty years, and it was no different during the period when the MAX went through the certification process that made its safe return possible. It is a pleasure to be partners with GOL in reaching this important milestone and we look forward to what is yet to come in our partnership."

GOL's Customers can find information about the aircraft and flights on the company's official website: https://www.voegol.com.br/

GOL Investor Relations
ri@voegol.com.br 
www.voegol.com.br/ir 
+55 (11) 2128-4700

Media Relations
Becky Nye, Montieth & Company
bnye@montiethco.com

About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. ("GOL")
GOL serves more than 36 million passengers annually. With Brazil's largest network, GOL offers customers more than 750 daily flights to over 100 destinations in Brazil and in South America, the Caribbean and the United States. GOLLOG's cargo transportation and logistics business serves more than 3,400 Brazilian municipalities and more than 200 international destinations in 95 countries. SMILES allows over 16 million registered clients to accumulate miles and redeem tickets to more than 700 destinations worldwide on the GOL partner network. Headquartered in São Paulo, GOL has a team of approximately 15,000 highly skilled aviation professionals and operates a fleet of 127 Boeing 737 aircraft, delivering Brazil's top on-time performance and an industry leading 19-year safety record. GOL has invested billions of Reais in facilities, products and services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. GOL's shares are traded on the NYSE (GOL) and the B3 (GOLL4). For further information, visit www.voegol.com.br/ir.

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SOURCE GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.

FAQ

When will GOL resume flights with the Boeing 737 MAX?

GOL will resume flights with the Boeing 737 MAX starting December 9, 2020.

How many Boeing 737 MAX aircraft does GOL have?

GOL currently has seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in its fleet.

What safety measures did GOL implement for the Boeing 737 MAX?

GOL conducted extensive pilot training and technical flights to comply with FAA and ANAC requirements.

How does the Boeing 737 MAX benefit GOL's operations?

The Boeing 737 MAX offers greater fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and a range increase, enhancing GOL's operational effectiveness.

How many Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has GOL ordered?

GOL has orders for 95 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2022 and 2032.