Boeing

VARIG Airlines of Brazil will be the first carrier in Latin America to operate the Boeing 737-800 with winglets when it takes delivery of two of the advanced airplanes in September and October of this year. VARIG announced it will operate the airplanes through a lease agreement with GATX Capital Corporation. The winglets offer up to four percent better fuel burn, reduced maintenance costs, reduced noise on takeoff and increased optimum cruise altitude. "The winglets on the Boeing 737-800 represent the latest technology to improve flight performance and economics," said Ozires Silva, CEO of VARIG Airlines. "This is an important step in continuing to offer our passengers the best services."