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 Obtains Long-term Financing from the BNDES
São Paulo, May 29, 2006 –GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (Bovespa: GOLL4 and NYSE: GOL), Brazil’s low-cost, low-fare airline, announces that its Board of Directors has authorized its operating company GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. to enter into a R$ 75.7 mm loan with the BNDES (Brazilian National Economic and Social Development Bank). The tenor of the BNDES loan is six years with an interest rate of 2.65% over the long-term borrowing rate –TJLP (currently set at 8.15% in Reais).
The direct credit line approved by the BNDES will be used to finance a significant part of the Company’s multi-year investment plan for the three-year period ending in fiscal 2006, with a focus on the construction of facilities at the GOL Aircraft Maintenance Center at the Confins International Airport in Minas Gerais, the acquisition of nationally manufactured equipment, the acquisition and customization of nationally manufactured software, and the technical training of employees. The BNDES financing aims to support the Company’s long-term growth in the civil aviation market, improvement in productivity and efficiency ratios, and help create jobs for highly-skilled personnel.
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. The Company has one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry resulting 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 500 daily flights to 50 major business and travel destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay. GOL plans to increase passenger flights in existing markets and add service to additional markets in both Brazil and other high-traffic South American travel destinations. GOL’s 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, 0004 055 127 in Uruguay, 009 800 55 1 0007 in Paraguay and 55 11 2125-3200 in other countries.
| CONTACT:GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. | ||
| 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: | |
| MVL Comunicação (São Paulo) | Gavin Anderson & Company (New York) | |
| Ph: (5511) 3049-0343 / 0343 | Ph.: +1 (212) 515-1904 | |
| e-mail: roberta.corbioli@mvl.com.br | e-mail: amatthews@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.
GOL LINHAS AÉREAS INTELIGENTES S.A. | ||
| By: | /S/ Richard F. Lark, Jr. | |
Name: Richard F. Lark, Jr. Title: 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 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.