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Azul Brazilian Airlines

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S/A (Azul Brazilian Airlines; or simply Azul) is a Brazilian airline headquartered in Barueri, a suburb of São Paulo.[8] The company's business model is to stimulate demand by providing frequent and affordable air service to underserved markets throughout Brazil. The company was named Azul ("Blue" in Portuguese) after a naming contest in 2008, where "Samba" was the other popular name.[9] Azul is a publicly traded company on the Brazilian stock exchange, with the ticker AZUL4.[10] It was established on 5 May 2008 by Brazilian-born David Neeleman (founder of American low-cost airline JetBlue), with a fleet of 76 Embraer 195 jets.[11] The airline began service on 15 December 2008.[12]

According to the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), between January and December 2019, Azul had 23.5% of the domestic and 5.0% of the international market shares in terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPK),[13] making it the third largest domestic and second largest international airline in Brazil.

History

Foundation and early years

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A. was the fourth airline launched by JetBlue founder David Neeleman (after Morris Air, WestJet and JetBlue). Azul inaugurated services in the Brazilian domestic market on 15 December 2008 between Campinas and 3 cities: Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Porto Alegre.[14] It launched operations with three Embraer 195 and two Embraer 190 aircraft. Another three aircraft were added in January 2009 to introduce nonstop service from Campinas to both Vitória and Curitiba.[14]

On 28 May 2012, Azul announced the acquisition of TRIP Linhas Aéreas, the largest regional carrier in Brazil. Azul and Trip started comprehensive code-sharing operations on 2 December 2012,[15] with all flights carrying only the IATA code of Azul. On 6 March 2013, Brazilian authorities gave the final approval for the merger with a few restrictions related to code-sharing with TAM Airlines and slot use at Rio de Janeiro–Santos Dumont Airport.[16] On 6 May 2014, the merger process was completed with the final approval from Brazilian authorities. That day the brand TRIP ceased to exist and all TRIP assets were transferred to Azul.[17]

While the airline is not currently a full member in an airline alliance, it signed a codeshare agreement with Star Alliance airline United Airlines in January 2014, which made it possible for MileagePlus members to earn points when flying with Azul beginning 1 April 2014.[18][19] Since 2015, Azul is also an equal partner in a Brazilian–Portuguese joint venture that was the majority owner of TAP Air Portugal, another Star Alliance member, before its buy-out by the Portuguese state.

In December 2014, Azul started its first scheduled international flights, to Fort Lauderdale on 2 December and Orlando on 15 December, both in the United States.[20]

Development since 2015

In early 2015, it was announced that Azul had signed a purchase agreement for 35 Airbus A320neo aircraft. It was also to lease a further 28 of the aircraft type.[21] In mid 2015, Azul finalised a deal for 30 Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, including 20 options, first announced at the 2014 Farnborough International Air Show. The first delivery was scheduled for 2020.[22]

On 24 November 2015, it was announced that the Chinese HNA Group, owner of Hainan Airlines, would invest US$450 million in Azul, becoming its largest single shareholder.[23] This follows the US$100 million investment of United Airlines closed in June 2015.[24]

Azul signed a nonbinding deal to buy Avianca Brasil's assets on 11 March 2019, calling for the rehiring of all Avianca Brazil's staff and the merger between the two carriers, with Azul as the surviving brand.[25][26][27][28]

On 14 January 2020, Azul Brazilian Airlines signed an agreement to purchase TwoFlex.[29] On 27 March 2020, the Brazilian regulatory bodies approved the purchase[30] and sale of flights started on 14 April 2020.[31] TwoFlex operates as a feeder airline to Azul.

On May 28, 2025, Azul Brazilian Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after being affected with higher expenses within the last year. The company has plans to shed up to $2 billion in debt, receive $1.6 billion in financing throughout the procedure, and an additional $950 million in financing upon exiting bankruptcy, with bondholders and strategic partners such as American Airlines and United Airlines supporting the restructuring.[32] Azul stated that they plan to exit bankruptcy in the beginning of 2026.[33]

Corporate affairs

The key trends for Azul are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):[34]

Destinations

In November 2025, Azul and Azul Conecta served 150 destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Curaçao (Netherlands), Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and Uruguay plus some other additional locations by means of dedicated executive bus services to the nearest airports.[45][46]

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a.Although Santana do Livramento (Brazil) is the destination listed, because of operational reasons flights operated at Rivera International Airport located in the twin city Rivera, Uruguay.

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Codeshare agreements

Azul has interline agreements and codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[61]

Interline agreements

Fleet

As of August 2025, Azul Brazilian Airlines operates the following aircraft:[74]

See also

External links

References

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  2. Visão Geral Azul Brazilian Airlines, retrieved 1 December 2025^
  3. Mapa de rotas Azul magazine, Diretoria de Marketing, Comunicação e Marca, December 2018, retrieved 22 December 2018^
  4. Azul Brazilian Airlines website^
  5. TudoAzul e Itaucard lançam Primeira Compra que dá descontos de até 10% em passagens aéreas TURISMO SA, 15 October 2020, retrieved 18 October 2020^
  6. 2021 Financial Results Azul IR, 24 February 2021, retrieved 20 June 2022^
  7. Management^
  8. "CONTRATO DE TRANSPORTE AÉREO DE PASSAGEIROS ." Azul Brazilian Airlines. Retrieved on 20 February 2010.^
  9. Jessie Scanlon. Braving Brazil's 'Airline Graveyard' BusinessWeek, 6 May 2008, retrieved 4 June 2008^
  10. AZUL4 - AÇÕES AZUL: cotação e indicadores Análise de Ações, retrieved 2023-06-12^
  11. Azul itching to launch low cost services in Brazil CAPA Centre for Aviation, 18 August 2008, retrieved 30 October 2014^
  12. Marcela Matos. Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras recebe o CHETA e já pode pleitear as rotas que pretende operar Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, 5 November 2008^
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  22. Azul Signs for E-Jets Airliner World, July 2015^
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  53. Azul iniciou operações em Caiena, na Guiana Francesa Ambassade de France au Brésil, 17 September 2015, retrieved 23 June 2023^
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