Brazilian Airline Gol has just opened this Friday, September 15, its Aircraft Maintenance Center in Confins, Belo Horizonte, in the Brazilian southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The construction began in July last year with a total investment of US$ 14 million (30.5 million reais).
The center offers high-end technology for airplane maintenance. The annual cost reductions are estimated at US$ 2 million for the company, which will stop using third-parties services. An additional gain will be achieved with maintenance services for other airlines.
"In a moment of expansion, Gol will reduce its aircraft expenses and obtain another source of future revenues," says David Barioni, Gol’s Technical Vice President. The company plans to end 2006 with 62 Boeing 737 airplanes, an increase of 20 over year-end 2005.
The total area of Maintenance Center is 17,300 m². Two hangars were built, one of 4,800 m² for three airplanes, and another one of 2.000 m² for one airplane. The repair shops and business offices occupy 10,500 m².
About 350 new job openings (direct and indirect) are being created with the inauguration of the Center. The Confins location was chosen as Tancredo Neves International Airport is one of the best and most well-structured in Brazil.