PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
Jardim Aeroporto
04630-000 São Paulo, São Paulo
Federative Republic of Brazil
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F ______
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___
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
GOL Announces Traffic Statistics for February 2006
São Paulo, March 7, 2006 – GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), Brazil’s low fare, low cost airline, today released preliminary passenger statistics for the month of February 2006. System-wide passenger traffic (RPK) increased 58%, while capacity (ASK) increased 60% y-o-y. GOL’s system load factor for the month of February 2006 was 70%.
Domestic passenger traffic (RPK) for January increased 56%, and capacity (ASK) increased 56%. GOL’s domestic load factor for the month of February 2006 was 71%.
International passenger traffic (RPK) for February increased 94%, while capacity (ASK) increased 123%. International load factor for the month of February 2006 was 66%.
Yield per passenger kilometer decreased by approximately 9% y-o-y, due principally to a 7% increase in average stage length (passenger trip).
| Operating Data | February | February | Change | |||
| 2006 * | 2005 * | (%) | ||||
| Total System | ||||||
| ASK (mm) (1) | 1,341.2 | 836.0 | 60.4% | |||
| RPK (mm) (2) | 940.5 | 594.4 | 58.2% | |||
| Load Factor (3) | 70.1% | 71.1% | -1.0 p.p. | |||
| Domestic Market | ||||||
| ASK (mm) (1) | 1,220.4 | 781.8 | 56.1% | |||
| RPK (mm) (2) | 860.8 | 553.3 | 55.6% | |||
| Load Factor (3) | 70.5% | 70.8% | -0.3 p.p. | |||
| International Market | ||||||
| ASK (mm) (1) | 120.8 | 54.2 | 122.9% | |||
| RPK (mm) (2) | 79.7 | 41.1 | 93.9% | |||
| Load Factor (3) | 66.0% | 75.8% | -9.8 p.p. | |||
| ( * ) February 2006 - preliminary data; final data for February 2005. | ||||||
(1) Available seat kilometers represents the aircraft seating capacity multiplied by the number of kilometers the seats are flown. |
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(2) Revenue passenger kilometers represents the numbers of kilometers flown by revenue passengers. |
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(3) Load factor represents the percentage of aircraft seating capacity that is actually utilized (calculated by dividing revenue passenger kilometers by available seat kilometers). | ||||||
About GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, a “low-cost, low-fare” airline, is one of the most profitable and fastest growing airlines in the industry worldwide. GOL operates a simplified fleet with a single class of service. It also has one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry that results in low maintenance, fuel and training costs, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency ratios. In addition, safe and reliable services, which stimulate GOL’s brand recognition and customer satisfaction, allow GOL to have the best value proposition in the market. GOL currently offers over 440 daily flights to 49 major business and travel destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. GOL growth plans include increasing frequencies in existing markets and adding service to additional markets in both Brazil and other high-traffic South American travel destinations. GOL shares are listed on the NYSE and the Bovespa. GOL: here everyone can fly!
For more information, flight times and fares, please access our site at www.voegol.com.br or call:
| 0300-789-2121 | in Brazil | |
| 0810-266-3131 | in Argentina | |
| 800-1001 21 | in Bolivia | |
| 55 11 2125-3200 | in other countries |
| CONTACT: GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. | ||
| Investor Relations: | ||
| Ph: (5511) 5033 4393 | ||
| e-mail: ri@golnaweb.com.br | ||
| www.voegol.com.br/ir | ||
| Media – Brazil and Latin America: | Media – U.S. and Europe: | |
| Roberta Corbioli, or Márcia Bertoncello | Meagan Smith | |
| MVL Comunicação (São Paulo) | Gavin Anderson & Company (New York) | |
| Ph: (5511) 3049-0343 / 0341 | Ph: 212-515-1957 | |
| e-mail: roberta.corbioli@mvl.com.br | e-mail: msmith@gavinanderson.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 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: 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 actually 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.