BOEING READIES GOL AIRPLANE WITH CHROME-FREE PRIMER TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- Boeing recently prepared a new GOL
Airlines 737-800 for Boeing's first-ever application of a chrome-free primer to
a single-aisle airplane bound for revenue service.

As part of Boeing's lifecycle approach to reduce environmental impact, and
in response to requests from the Brazilian carrier and other customers, Boeing
has introduced a chrome-free primer to complement chrome-free exterior
decorative paint, which Boeing has used for more than a decade.

In addition to simplified health and safety monitoring requirements, a
chrome-free primer reduces the environmental impact of the paint and stripping
process, said Boeing in a statement released in Seattle on Monday.

Using a chrome-free primer eliminates the need for designated off-site
disposal areas and special handling of paint waste and clean-up. Such advantages
also are of benefit when the airplane is prepared for repainting.

Chrome -- technically known as hexavalent chrome -- is considered a
carcinogen and exposure levels are highly regulated.

Boeing will apply the chrome-free paint and primer on its models for
in-service evaluation, with the intention of making it a standard option in the
future.

Sao Paulo-based GOL is the first airline in the Americas and the first 737
operator to take part in the evaluation programme.

In August last year, a KLM 777-300 ER received a similar treatment, which
also has been used on the AH-64 Apache for several years.

GOL, which also controls the VARIG brand, is Latin America's largest
low-cost, low-fare carrier, offering more than 860 daily flights to 50
destinations connecting all of Brazil's major cities, plus 10 major destinations
in South America and the Caribbean.

The airline operates a standardised fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737
airplanes.

-- BERNAMA