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Gollog Reports 36 Percent Revenue Growth in 2007
São Paulo, February 22, 2008 GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), the parent company of Brazilian airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. (GTA, Brazils low-cost, low-fare airline) and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A. (VRG, Brazils premium service airline), announced that Gollog, the airlines cargo transport service, achieved 37.1 percent carried volume growth last year an increase from 41,200 tons in 2006 to 56,500 tons in 2007. Gross revenue also increased 36.4 percent, from R$ 126 million to R$ 172 million over the same period.
Gollogs strong performance is the result of its low cost, low fare business model, unique service offering and extensive route network. Additionally, Gollogs use of the electronic air-way bill (AWB), issued through the web from any city in Brazil, not only saves customers time and fuel but also provides them with a convenient, safe and reliable way to access information and track their cargo in real-time. Were pleased with our performance in 2007, when we opened new bases, enhanced our service offering and expanded our network both domestically and internationally. We were also able to leverage new cargo space through VRGs aircraft, which was added to our fleet following the April 2007 acquisition, says Tarcísio Gargioni, vice president of marketing and services at GOL.
Since beginning operations on January 30, 2001, Gollog has transported nearly 180,000 tons of cargo and issued over 2.6 million AWBs. The incorporation of VRGs fleet will allow the Company to further increase capacity. Through VRGs operations, the airline groups cargo transport service will reach Mexico and new destinations in Europe under the Gollog brand.
Gollog owns two storage facilitiesone at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo and another at Cumbica International Airport in Guarulhosemploying a staff of 112. It also operates 49 franchised locations across Brazil: São Paulo São Paulo, Guarulhos, São José do Rio Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Campinas and Arouche / Sergipe Aracajú / Pará Belém, Marabá and Santarém / Distrito Federal Brasília / Roraima Boa Vista / Mato Grosso Cuiabá / Mato Grosso do Sul Campo Grande / Paraíba Campina Grande and João Pessoa / Rio Grande do Sul Caxias do Sul, Porto Alegre / Paraná Curitiba, Foz do Iguaçu, Londrina and Maringá / Acre Cruzeiro do Sul and Rio Branco / Santa Catarina Florianópolis, Chapecó, Navegantes and Joinville / Ceará Fortaleza and Juazeiro do Norte / Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro / Goiás Goiânia / Maranhão Imperatriz and São Luiz / Bahia Ilhéus and Salvador / Amazonas Manaus / Amapá Macapá / Alagoas Maceió / Rio Grande do Norte Natal / Minas Gerais Uberlândia, Confins and Pampulha / Tocantins Palmas / Pernambuco Petrolina and Recife / Rondônia Porto Velho / Piauí Teresina / Espírito Santo Vitória.
The combined fleet of 201 vehicles collect and deliver cargo in nearly 400 cities across Brazil. The Company plans to open three additional bases in 2008: São Paulo São José dos Campos and Presidente Prudente / Pernambuco Fernando de Noronha.
Internationally, Gollog serves 10 destinations: Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Rosario (Argentina), Assuncion (Paraguay), Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru) and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), in South America; Madrid (Spain) and Paris (France), in Europe; and Mexico City (Mexico), in North America. Gollog plans to begin operations in Montevideo (Uruguay), Bogota (Colombia) and Caracas (Venezuela).
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In April, GOL will implement a new cargo transportation process control system, Unisys HORUS/LMS (Logistics Management Systems). Used by some of the worlds leading airlines, the system reduces direct IT costs and increases customer service and cargo transport efficiencies, improving the Companys revenue management. Additionally, it is adaptable to the Companys existing processes and easily integrated to customers and agents systems, following the main models in the market. The HORUS service is available throughout the year and ready to absorb Gollogs domestic and international cargo transport demand, which has significantly increased with the acquisition of VRG. Additionally, the system complies with all American, European and Brazilian import and export rules for cargo transport.
About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. is the parent company of Brazilian airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. (GTA, a low-cost, low-fare airline which operates the GOL brand) and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A.
(VRG, a premium service airline 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.
CONTACT: GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A.
Investor Relations | Media | |
Ph: (5511) 3169 6800 | Brazil & Latin America | |
E-mail: ri@golnaweb.com.br | Ph: (5511) 3169 6967 | |
Site: www.voegol.com.br/ir | E-mail: comcorp@golnaweb.com.br | |
U.S. & Europe | ||
Edelman; G. Juncadella and M. Smith | ||
Ph: +1 (212) 704-4448 / 704-8196 | ||
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 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.
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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 |
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.