The President of euroAtlantic airways (EAA) Tomáz Metello, in which the Pestana Group (GP) holds a stake, today announced the completion of negotiations which led to the acquisition of the first Boeing series 777 aircraft or “Triple Seven” as it is known by the American public. The company founded by Tomáz Metello still gives preference to the products of the US manufacturer located in Seattle. In recent years, it has been incorporating into its fleet aircraft of the models B767-300ER (four planes) and B757-200ER (two planes). euroAtlantic airways, including its affiliates, is now increasing its assets to around 150 million euros, but Tomáz Metello refused to state the amounts involved in the acquisition of the new equipment.

The new euroAtlantic airways plane classified as 777-212ER (Extended Range) is endowed with exceptional characteristics, equipped with two Rolls Royce Trent 884 engines each of which debits 84,940 pounds of impulse which enables it to have a maximum weight on take-off (MTOW) of 293,835 kg, with an operating empty weight (OEW) of 144.373 kg. The tanks store 171,176 litres of fuel in the current configuration and may transport 323 passengers (30E and 293Y) at a distance of 12,960 Km. (7,000 nautical miles) without stopovers. The new euroAtlantic equipment is easily identified at Airports or on the approaches to the runway, the “Triple Seven” has a long, circular fuselage, the turbines are those with the largest diameter in the world and on each landing gear there are 6 tyres (total of twelve tyres), comparing with the current B767-300ER of the company of Tomáz Metello and the Pestana Group, its engines are 40% more powerful and consume 22% less fuel. Suited to long hauls, it competes directly with Airbus A330 and Airbus A340. For a better assessment of the performance of the B777-200, one of the records was achieved flying between Seattle and Kuala Lumpur, a distance of 20,044 km in 21 hours and 23 minutes, without stopping for refuelling.

With this new investment euroAtlantic airways – at a time when the world economies which are the engines for development are showing signs of recovery – after in the financial year of 2008 having closed the accounts with net results of 13.5 million euros, is intending to strengthen consolidated growth along 16 years of activity, whilst prestigious specialist publications and Universities in the UK and US have regarded the EAA as a «case study». Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), an international financial entity which annually analyses euroAtlantic, rates the company at “Ranking 1” of those companies which in consecutive years have presented financial ratios regarded as excellent. Let’s not forget that the company led by Tomáz Metello came out of the September 11th crisis – a crisis which damaged the world air transport industry – registering growth. euroAtlantic – for whom the export of services constitutes the lion’s share of its «core- business» – is prepared to face the new challenges, reflecting the confidence of the international market in the national aeronautical industry.

With the incorporation of the new assets, euroAtlantic airways is updating its aircraft registration; a Lockheed Tristar L1011-500 plane, a fleet of four Boeing 767-300ER and two Boeing 757-200, simultaneously bringing together interests in the segment of tourist travel and distribution. EAA also controls and assumes the management of STP Airways (37%) the flagship company of São Tomé e Príncipe which, over the last week, was the “Official Carrier” for the CPLP (Portuguese-speaking countries) Meeting held in the capital of São Tomé. The company of Tomáz Metello also holds a controlling interest in the Tourist Operator Sonhando S.A. (terraBrasil and terraÁfrica terraEuropa, the most visible brands) and the network of Travel Agents Intervisa with various branches spread nationwide.