GOL expects to receive two additional freighters this year.
“The first flights will be destined for the cities of Fortaleza, São Luís, and Teresina, where the current timeframe of four days will drop to just one, considering cargo stored in Mercado Livre’s Fulfillment Centers. We will reduce the delivery time by up to 80%. This is the fulfillment of our purpose of fast delivery and democratization of commerce for the whole country,” said Fernando Yunes, Senior Vice President and leader of Mercado Livre in Brazil.
Brazilian airline GOL’s first cargo aircraft has taken off in Confins, Brazil for operations throughout the country on behalf of Latin-American e-commerce company Mercado Livre. The Boeing 737-800BCF is the first of several that will be operated by GOLLOG, GOL’s logistics unit, for dedicated Mercado Livre operations in Brazil, according to a LinkedIn post by GOLLOG on August 23.
The incoming aircraft
Mercado Livre and GOL Linhas Aéreas announced the arrival of the first of six Boeing 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) aircraft. These planes are part of GOL’s plan to offer freighter services throughout Brazil, particularly in the country’s North, Northeast, and Midwest, and the airline and Mercado Livre are investing 17 billion reais (US$3.3 billion) in this.
Next deliveries
This aircraft, registration PS-GFA, is not the only one GOL is set to receive this year. The Brazilian airline will add two more 737-800BCFs in 2022, and the others will be integrated into the fleet by the third quarter of 2023. The partnership between GOL and Mercado Livre includes the option of adding six additional cargo aircraft by 2025.
According to Celso Ferrer, GOL’s new CEO, this aircraft symbolizes the beginning of a new phase for the company. It introduces GOL into a new business model, leveraged by a strong partnership with one of the region’s leaders in the e-commerce market.
The planes destined for the operation are part of GOL’s current fleet and went through a conversion process to freighters, designated as 737-800 BCF. These are the most efficient cargo aircraft operating in the Brazilian air market, with a capacity of 24 tons, said GOL in a statement. GOL’s 737-800BCF fleet will have Mercado Livre’s livery and visual identity. This painting was applied by GOL Aerotech, the company’s business unit specializing in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft, based in Confins, Brazil. Additionally, GOL Aerotech is in the process of certification to fully execute the conversions of the next plane of this partnership.
Strong freighter future
The introduction of the six-cargo aircraft is expected to generate fleet optimization savings of approximately 25 million reais (about US$5.5 million) in 2022 and another 75 million reais in 2023 (about US$16.2 million). Moreover, the cargo conversion will increase GOLLOG’s tonnage capacity by 80% during 2023 and generate additional incremental revenue of approximately 100 million reais in 2022 and more than one billion reais over the next five years. GOLLOG is GOL’s cargo franchise.
“We estimate that GOLLOG will register an increase of approximately 80% in supply capacity in tons,” said Julio Perotti, executive director of GOLLOG. “This is a major move that expands our operations in Brazil, increasing the range of services offered, which should represent an incremental revenue of 100 million reais still in 2022 and a further one billion reais over the next five years,” Perotti added.
