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 ______
Indicate by check mark 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):
GOL Opens Aircraft Maintenance Center
Sao Paulo, September 15, 2006 – GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (Bovespa: GOLL4 e NYSE: GOL), Brazil’s low-cost, low-fare airline, opens today its Aircraft Maintenance Center in Confins, Belo Horizonte (MG). The construction began in July last year with a total investment of R$ 30,5 million.
The center offers high-end technology for airplane maintenance. The annual cost reductions are estimated at US$ 2 million for the company, which will stop using third-parties services. An additional gain will be achieved with maintenance services for other airlines. “In a moment of expansion, GOL will reduce its aircraft expenses and obtain another source of future revenues”, says David Barioni, GOL’s Technical Vice President. The company plans to end 2006 with 62 Boeing 737 airplanes, an increase of 20 over year-end 2005.
The total area of Maintenance Center is 17,300 m2. Two hangars were built, one of 4,800 m2 for three airplanes, and another one of 2.000 m2 for one airplane. The repair shops and business offices occupy 10,500 m2. About 350 new job openings (direct and indirect) were created with the inauguration of the Center. The Confins location was chosen as Tancredo Neves International Airport is one of the best and most well-structured in the country.
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, with 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 value proposition in the market. GOL currently offers over 500 daily flights to 51 airports in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. GOL growth plans include increasing frequencies in existing markets and adding service to additional markets in both Brazil and other high-traffic South American travel destinations. GOL shares are listed on the NYSE and the Bovespa. GOL: here everyone can fly!
For more information, flight times and fares, please access our site at www.voegol.com.br or call: 0300-789-2121 in Brazil, 0810-266-3131 in Argentina, 800-1001-21 in Bolivia, 0004 055 127 in Uruguay, 009 800 55 1 0007 in Paraguay, 1 888 0042 0090 (Telefônica) and 1230 020 9104 (Intel) in Chile, and 55 11 2125-3200 in other countries.
CONTACT: GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
Ph: (5511) 3169 6800
E-mail: ri@golnaweb.com.br
Site: www.voegol.com.br/ir
Corporate Communications
Ph: (5511) 3169 6449
E-mail: rcorbioli@golnaweb.com.br
| Media – Brazil & Latin America | Media – U.S. & Europe | |
| MVL Comunicação; D. Nakayama and C. Silva | Edelman; G. Juncadella and M. Smith | |
| Ph: (5511) 3049-0341 / 3049-0343 | Ph: +1 (212) 704-4448 / 704-8196 | |
| E-mail: daniela.nakayama@mvl.com.br | E-mail: gabriela.juncadella@edelman.com | |
| meaghan.smith@edelman.com |
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.
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: Executive 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 a ctually 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.