Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) has announced as of today (November 23), it will begin the process of winding up the activities of its subsidiary Webjet Linhas Aereas (Rio de Janeiro) and the discontinuation of its name and brand. The airline was grounded today.

The group continued in its statement; “The first step is to extinguish flight operations. Webjet has an operational model based on a fleet that mostly consists of aging Boeing 737-300 aircraft that are advanced age, technologically out of date and consume large amounts of fuel. Given the Brazilian sector’s new cost standards, this model is no longer competitive.

As a result of the winding up of operations, around 850 employees, including flight and cabin crew and maintenance personnel, will be laid off.

Webjet’s clients and passengers will be fully served by Gol and their flights will be guaranteed. As of this date, Gol will be responsible for all air transport and associated services for these passengers. In this context, all the necessary measures are been taken.

As a result of this decision and its consequences, the Company estimates a non-recurring increase in costs in the fourth quarter of 2012, which will be disclosed to the market opportunely. However, the measures will improve operational efficiency as of 2013.

In relation to Webjet’s Boeing 737-300 fleet, Gol estimates that it will return all 20 aircraft by the end of the first half of 2013, 16 of which in the first quarter.

Thanks to the smaller fleet, Gol expects to reduce its domestic supply (ASK) by between 5% and 8% year-on- year in the first half of 2013, underlining its commitment to recovering its operating margins and the sustainability of the business.”

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi. Boeing 737-33A PR-WJW (msn 27267) climbs away Guarulhos Airport near Sao Paulo.

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