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registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
GOL Rated Best Performing Airline in 2006
by Aviation Week & Space Technology
São Paulo, July 17, 2007 – GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), the parent company of Brazil’s low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. (“GTA”, that operates the GOL brand) and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A. (“VRG”, that operates the VARIG brand), was again rated the best performing airline in the world among companies in the same revenue category, between US$ 1 billion and US$ 4 billion, according to a report published by Aviation Week & Space Technology (AWST).
According to the magazine’s criteria, GOL scored 93 out of 99 possible points, up nearly 7 percent from last year’s total score of 87. Aviation Week takes into account a company’s return on invested capital (ROIC), earning power, operating performance and financial health; each category represents 25 percent of a company’s overall score. GOL’s scores in each category are included below.
| Total Score |
ROIC | Earning Power |
Operating Performance |
Financial Health |
2006 Revenue (US$ mm) |
| 93 | 99 | 89 | 83 | 91 | 1,778 |
“We are pleased to be recognized by AWST as not only the best performing airline in our revenue class, but also one of the best in the world for the second year in a row,” says Constantino de Oliveira Junior, President and CEO of GOL. “Our higher total score this year is a result of our business model, company-wide focus on low-costs and commitment to delivering high quality service.”
The AWST report appears in the July 16 issue of the publication. Full results are available online at www.aviationweek.com/extras.
About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. is the parent company of low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. (“GTA”, which operates the GOL brand) and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A. (“VRG”, which operates the VARIG brand).
GTA and VRG offer daily flights to more destinations in Brazil than any other domestic airline while providing customers with the most convenient flight schedules in the country. The airlines operate a young, modern fleet of Boeing aircraft, the
safest and most comfortable aircraft of its class, with low maintenance, fuel and training costs, and high aircraft utilization and efficiency ratios. In addition to safe and reliable services, which stimulate brand recognition and customer
satisfaction, the Company’s service is recognized as the best value proposition in the market. Growth plans include increasing frequencies in existing markets and adding service to additional markets in both Brazil and other high-traffic travel
destinations. Shares are listed on the NYSE (GOL) and the Bovespa (GOLL4) stock exchanges.
GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. offers over 630 daily flights to 58 destinations connecting the most important cities in Brazil as well as the main destinations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. For more information on GOL flight times and fares, please access www.voegol.com.br or call: 0300-115-2121 in Brazil, 0810-266-3131 in Argentina, 800-1001-21 in Bolivia, 1 888 0042 0090 or 1230 020 9104 in Chile, 009 800 55 1 0007 in Paraguay, 0800 52 900 in Peru, 0004 055 127 in Uruguay and 55 11 2125-3200 in other countries.
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VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A. offers over 120 daily flights to 12 destinations in Brazil: Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Fernando de Noronha, Florianópolis, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo. VRG also offers 18 daily flights to four international destinations in South America and Europe: Buenos Aires, Bogotá and Caracas, in South America and Frankfurt, in Europe. For more information on VRG flight times and fares, please access www.varig.com.br or call: 4003-7000 in Brazil, 54 11 4329 9211 in Buenos Aires (Monday - Friday), 0810 32182744 in other areas of Argentina (Monday - Friday), or 54 11 5480 8017 9 in all areas of Argentina (Saturday - Sunday and Holidays), 57 1 350 7100 in Colombia, 44 207 660 0341 in England, 33 1 70 48 00 58 in France, 39 023 859 1250 in Italy, 34 91 754 7014 in Spain and 1 800
CONTACT: GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
| Investor Relations | Corporate Communications | |
| Ph: (5511) 3169 6800 | Ph: (5511) 3169 6967 | |
| E-mail: ri@golnaweb.com.br | E-mail: | |
| Site: www.voegol.com.br/ir | comunicacaocorporativa@golnaweb.com.br | |
| Media – Brazil & Latin America | Media – U.S. & Europe | |
| MVL Comunicação; D. Barbará and E. | Edelman; G. Juncadella and M. Smith | |
| Oliveira | Ph: +1 (212) 704-4448 / 704-8196 | |
| Ph: (5511) 3049-0349 / 0341 | E-mail:gabriela.juncadella@edelman.com; | |
| E-mail: daniela.barbara@mvl.com.br; | meaghan.smith@edelman.com | |
| eduardo.oliveira@mvl.com.br | ||
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: 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.