Brazilian airline Gol plans a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per ASK (available seat-kilometer) by 2012. The company announced that between January 2004 and December 2006 it reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 6% per ASK by adding to its fleet a number of modern aircraft with new engines that run more efficiently.
"While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates airlines are responsible for 2% of total worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, it is extremely important that we do all we can to reduce our impact on the environment," says Fernando Rockert de Magalhães, Executive Vice President-Technical of Gol.
"This 20% reduction represents almost 750 million kilograms of carbon dioxide – a figure that's equal to what would be absorbed by approximately 4.3 million trees over 25 years."
Gol's officials say that supporting the global initiative to reduce pollutants and improve the environment is an important part of the airline's daily operations.
In 2006, the company saved approximately 163 tons of paper through its paperless ticket policy, collected about 19,000 lbs of plastic for recycling, planted 15,000 trees as part of its reforestation program.
Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes is the parent company of Brazil's low-cost airlines Gol Transportes Aéreos S.A. ("GTA", that operates the Gol brand) and VRG Linhas Aereas S.A. ("VRG", that operates the Varig brand).
Air France Agreement
Gol has signed an agreement with Air France. Since September 4, passengers traveling on Air France can purchase tickets for all 58 destinations served by Gol in Brazil and South America.
The French airline will be able to sell tickets on Gol flights. Passengers will have their luggage checked through to their final destination, eliminating the need to retrieve it upon arrival in Brazil. Gol will honor Air France's baggage allowance policy.
Fares under this agreement account for all legs of the flight, including both Air France and Gol routes. In addition to this agreement with Air France, Gol has agreements with Aerolineas Argentinas, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Varig.
