GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (G3, São Paulo Congonhas) is planning to downsize its fleet from the current 130 aircraft to around 100 and has deferred the delivery of forty-seven B737-8s.

The Brazilian airline said in an investor update that it had already returned 11 dry-leased B737-800s since the start of 2020. It plans to return a further seven in the second half of this year and a further 30 in 2021/22. GOL added that it had the flexibility to return even more aircraft in the coming years should demand recover more slowly than anticipated.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, the carrier's fleet consists of twenty-three B737-700s, 100 -800s, and seven inactive MAX 8s. Nearly all the aircraft are dry-leased with just one -700 and five -800s owned by GOL, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.

"We have been approached by certain lessors to modify lease arrangements to allow for variable power by the hour payments on some aircraft, and we will evaluate all potential alternatives to ensure and maintain our world-class fleet," GOL said.

Following the planned returns, GOL intends to adjust its "operating fleet" to around 100 aircraft.

The low-cost carrier added that it had agreed with Boeing on deferrals for future B737 MAX 8s, assuming that the type's deliveries do in fact restart in the near future.

"GOL has reduced its 2020-2022 Boeing 737 MAX deliveries by 47 aircraft and capex to a total of BRL300 million reals (USD58.2 million) for June to December," the airline said.

Besides the seven already delivered jets, GOL has a further ninety-five B737 MAX 8s on firm order from Boeing, including 15 which have already been built and are ready for delivery once the type's recertification has been done.

In terms of its operating plans, GOL said that it hopes to operate around 20% of its normal schedule by the end of June. During the month, the airline will reopen flights to Porto Alegre International, Petrolina, Ilheus, Juazeiro do Norte, and Chapecó.