Brazil's GOL orders 40 Boeing 737s

Boeing announced on Wednesday 2 January that Brazil's airline company GOL Linhas Aereas has placed an order for 40 Boeing 737 passenger airplanes with a total median list value of $3 billion.

GOL, the parent company of low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aereos and VRG Linhas Aereas, has also confirmed purchase rights for 40 additional 737 aircraft, Boeing said.

Last month, GOL said it had exercised firm orders for 34 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and signed a new contract to acquire 40 more for delivery between 2012 and 2014 as part of its policy to reduce operating costs by running a standardised fleet.

The Boeing next-generation 737 series is the most technologically advanced airplane family in the single-aisle market. More than 4,400 next-generation 737s have been ordered by 110 customers to date, the company said.