Delta TechOps, GOL Establish Long-Term Maintenance Partnership

Five-year initial agreement will generate maintenance synergies for both companies; TechOps to provide engine overhauls, parts support, consulting services to growing GOL

News provided by

Delta Air Lines

Feb 03, 2011, 04:15 ET

ATLANTA, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines' (NYSE: DAL) maintenance division, Delta TechOps, has entered an exclusive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) partnership with GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), (S&P/Fitch: BB-/BB-, Moody's: Ba3), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America. As part of the five-year deal, which includes an additional five-year option, Delta TechOps will provide engine overhauls for a minimum of 50 percent of GOL's CFM56-7 engines and maintenance services for various parts and components on GOL's fleet of Boeing 737NG aircraft.

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Delta TechOps also will provide consulting services related to maintenance workflow planning, materials and facility optimization, and tooling support and will assist GOL with its efforts to secure FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certification. In addition, GOL will assist Delta with some line maintenance services for Delta aircraft with extended ground time in Brazil.

"The men and women in Delta TechOps are the most skilled and knowledgeable in the industry," said Tony Charaf, president – Delta TechOps. "This partnership with GOL gives us a special opportunity to join hands and share our talents and expertise with another airline, while strengthening our ties in the South American market and extending our global MRO footprint."

"This partnership aims at further improving GOL's low cost structure as well as the quality of its state-of-the-art maintenance center located in Brazil," said Constantino Junior, GOL's Founder and CEO. "We are proud to work with Delta TechOps."

Since establishing a third-party maintenance business a decade ago, Delta TechOps has grown its global customer base to include 150 customers and more than $500 million in annual revenues. The business is an important part of Delta's efforts to diversify its global revenue base through ancillary businesses such as Delta Cargo, Delta Private Jets, Delta Global Services and MLT Vacations.

About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), (S&P/Fitch: BB-/BB-, Moody's: Ba3), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, offers more than 900 daily flights to 59 destinations that connect all the important cities in Brazil and 14 major destinations in South America and Caribbean. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable of its class, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency levels. Fully committed to seeking innovative solutions through the use of cutting-edge technology, the Company - via its GOL, VARIG, GOLLOG, SMILES and VoeFacil brands - offers its clients easy payment facilities, a wide range of complementary services and the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.

About Delta TechOps

Delta TechOps is the largest airline maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in North America, generating approximately $500 million in revenue in 2010. In addition to providing maintenance and engineering support for Delta's fleet of more than 750 aircraft, Delta TechOps serves more than 150 other aviation and airline customers around the world, specializing in high-skill work like engines, components, hangar and line maintenance. Delta TechOps employs more than 8,500 maintenance professionals and is one of the world's most experienced providers with more than seven decades of aviation expertise. More about Delta TechOps is available at: deltatechops.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines