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___
GOL Announces Interline Agreement with VRG
Sao Paulo, September 18, 2007 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), the parent company of Brazils 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), has entered an interline agreement with VRG.
Effective September 14, VRG passengers traveling on international flights with connections in Guarulhos International Airport (Sao Paulo) or Tom Jobim International Airport (Rio de Janeiro) can now purchase tickets for all 50 domestic destinations served by GOL.
Through this interline agreement, GOL and VRG are now able to offer the most comprehensive route network of any airline operating within Brazil. The operating efficiencies between the two companies will offer passengers a safe and convenient option for domestic and international transportation, says Constantino de Oliveira Junior, GOLs president and CEO.
Passengers will also have the added convenience of having their luggage checked through to their final destination, eliminating the need to re-check baggage during connections between the two companies. Fares charged under this agreement account for all legs of the flight, including both VRG and GOLs routes. The agreement is only valid to full-fare tickets.
In addition to the interline agreement with GOL, VRG will also participate in MITA (Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreements), an IATA network of airlines from around the world. All MITA members have the option to enter interline agreements with other member airlines.
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 Companys 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.
VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A. offers over 120 daily flights to 13 destinations in Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Fernando de Noronha, Florianópolis, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro (Galeão and Santos Dumont), Salvador and São Paulo (Congonhas and Guarulhos). 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 1 800 468 2744 or 1 800 GO VARIG in the USA and Canada.
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 A. | Edelman; G. Juncadella and M. Smith | |
Michelacci | 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 | |
alexandre.michelacci@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 GOLs management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Companys 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 GOLs filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice.
GOL LINHAS AÉREAS INTELIGENTES S.A. |
||
By: |
/S/ Richard F. Lark, Jr.
|
|
Name: Richard F. Lark, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer |
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.