Brazil’s GOL airline accelerates fleet renewal

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. announced today a further acceleration of its fleet renewal and modernization plan and the execution of sale and leaseback agreements, with Castlelake and Apollo Aviation, for 13 Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft in the GOL fleet that will be replaced with Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft over the next few years.

Due to favorable market conditions for transactions with its Boeing 737 NGs, GOL has accelerated its fleet renewal and modernization plan with sale and leaseback transactions of 13 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft that will be removed from the fleet during 2019-2021. “GOL will maintain its capacity discipline, and this transaction reinforces the flexibility of the Company’s fleet plan,” said Celso Ferrer, vice president of planning. The accelerated fleet renewal will not alter GOL’s planned capacity, as these aircraft will be returned simultaneously with the receipt of 737 MAX-8 aircraft under its order with Boeing and recent direct operating leases of 11 737 MAX-8 aircraft. The accelerated return of NGs will allow GOL to finish 2019 and 2019 with 24 and 34 737 MAX-8s in its operating fleet, respectively.

GOL’s fleet upgauging drives operating efficiency and operating leverage. The 737 MAX will be the backbone of GOL’s fleet, increasing average seat per aircraft and bringing incremental cost per seat to very low levels. By 2023, over 40% of the fleet with be comprised of 737 MAXs and over the next five years the transition to the MAX is expected to increase productivity by over 20% and reduce fuel consumption. Compared to GOL’s 737-800 NG aircraft, the 737 MAX-8 has decreased fuel consumption on GOL’s routes by approximately 15%. “In addition to fuel savings, the increased range of the 737 MAX-8 allows GOL to further diversify its route network and operate international flights to the U.S. and Mexico,” added Celso.

“These monetizations of our 737-800 NGs permit GOL to accelerate reduction of balance sheet leverage and increase liquidity,” said Richard Lark, GOL’s CFO. The sale of these 13 aircraft will reduce the Company’s net debt by approximately R$1.1 billion, comprised of a R$510 million reduction in finance lease debt and a R$580 million increase in cash liquidity. GOL’s single B credit ratings were recently re-affirmed by the credit rating agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch.