Photo: Airbus.
On Friday, Airbus and Brazil’s Azul Linhas Aéreas disclosed an order for four Airbus A330-900s, bringing the total order book of the airline to seven units of this family (plus the five it already operates).
More planes for Azul Linhas Aéreas
Following the decision to retire the two Airbus A350-900s from Azul’s fleet, the airline is looking to standardize its fleet for international service under the A330 family. Today, the airline disclosed a firm order for four additional A330-900 from a purchase agreement signed in June 2023.
Alexandre Malfitani, Azul’s Chief Financial Officer, said in a statement,
“With the five A330neos we currently operate and the seven we now have on order, we will standardize our international fleet, allowing us to further enhance Azul’s renowned customer experience and on-time performance.”
Meanwhile, Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, said,
“While Azul will leverage the full potential of Airbus’ unique commonality between its A330 and A320 Family fleets, passengers can rave about a spacious, best-in-class cabin experience – and this on every long-haul flight the airline offers on its attractive, globally growing network.”
International expansion
John Rodgerson, the airline’s CEO, said the company expects a significant expansion of international flights with this acquisition without losing its regional operational advantage. “The idea is to have more of our Brazilian cities connected to cities outside the country, which we increasingly want to include among our international destinations.”
The company currently has four A330-200s, five A330-900s, and two A350-900s, which are set to be retired by the end of this year, putting an end to this model’s stint in the Brazilian firm.
Azul: back to normal
In a report by Gimme Credit, Azul’s results were graded as good and coming slightly above market expectations. From a business perspective, this year has been good for the Brazilian company, with a continued recovery in domestic leisure and international flights.
Additionally, the company has been working on the restructuring of its balance sheet, with substantial progress on its capital optimization plan. Azul has been working with its lessors and airplane manufacturing companies to cut its lease liabilities in exchange for what lessors have agreed to receive 40% of Azul’s 7.5% 2030 notes and an equity instrument convertible into preferred shares.
This has allowed the company to improve its liquidity position, and it doesn’t have any substantial loans or bonds due for repayment before 2028.
