Gol subsidiary VRG has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 short field performance aircraft, bringing the total number of SFP aircraft the carrier has in operation to seven.

VRG currently operates four 737-700 SFPs and three -800s of the type.

In addition VRG added three 737-700s in August to facilitate the removal of its older generation 737-300s and 767-300s by yearend.

Parent GOL posted a R$172 million loss amid spiking fuel costs. But the company predicts R$180 million in annual costs savings as Gol and VRG work to combine their operations.

VRG was scheduled for migration to Gol's New Skies reservation system last month. Combining the two the flight networks of the two carriers is expected to trigger R$150 million in savings.

Gol on 31 July sought regulatory approval for the combination of operations with VRG while still maintaining two separate brands.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news