GOL Breaks Traffic Record for March

SAO PAULO, April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, recorded the highest demand for March in the domestic market and in the total system since going operational in 2001.

The Company registered 36.8% growth in demand in its route network compared to March 2009, with 38.5% growth in the domestic market. This growth was driven by the combined effect of a better economic scenario in Brazil and Latin America and the increase in the Company's competitive advantages in the markets it operates: (i) higher frequency and regularity in Brazil's main airports; (ii) increase in productivity, with aircraft utilization of more than 12.5 block hours/day, compared to approximately 11.3 block hours/day in March 2009; (iii) revitalization of SMILES, Latin America's largest mileage program with over 6.7 million participants; and (iv) dynamic fare management, including the new structure of Fare Categories, which benefit both clients looking for promotions with reduced fares and business travelers, for example, who seek flexibility as well as other benefits such as mileage bonuses.

Demand on the total system and in the international market fell by 3.4% and 21.2% in comparison with February 2010, due to the seasonal effect and the fewer days in that month, comparing to March.

Demand on GOL's international route increased by 23.6% in March 2010, over the same period in 2009, thanks to a few additional factors: (i) adjustments to the international route network, including frequencies; (ii) appreciation of Real against the Dollar; (iii) the launch of new routes between Brazil and the Caribbean, such as those to Aruba and Curacao; and (iv) more favorable macroeconomic scenario.

Comparing the same period in 2009, the total load factor increased to 64.7% in March 2010 (65.0% in the domestic market and 61.9% in the international market), with the international market 18.4 p.p. higher than the 43.5% registered in March 2009, and the domestic market increasing by 8.2 p.p. over the 56.9% in the same period last year.

In accordance with the Company's disciplined strategy of capacity growth, demand grew by 36.8% over March 2009, whereas capacity increased by 16.1%, substantially below the record demand growth in the route network. This strategy was equally apparent in the international market, where the Company reduced its capacity by 13.1%, versus a 23.6% upturn in demand, improving the quality of the consolidated load factor.

Yields averaged above 20 cents (R$), gradually increasing since the extremely competitive scenario in the middle of October 2009. Consequently, current yield levels are in line with its financial outlook.

SOURCE GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.