:Azul Brazilian Airlines
{{short description|Brazilian airline}}
{{For|the Russian airline|Azur Air}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Expand Portuguese|topic=transp|Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Azul Brazilian Airlines
| image = Logo da Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras.svg
| image_size = 175
| IATA = AD
| ICAO = AZU
| callsign = AZUL
| founded = {{start date and age|2008}}
| ceased =
| aoc = 10,123{{snd}}23 December 2022{{cite web|url=https://sas.anac.gov.br/sas/empresasaereas/view/frmEmpresas.aspx|title=Empresas Aéreas - Consulta|website=ANAC|access-date=15 March 2025|language=pt}}
| hubs = {{Plainlist|
- Belo Horizonte{{fact|date=March 2025}}
- Campinas{{fact|date=March 2025}}
- Recife{{cite magazine |date=December 2018 |title=Mapa de rotas |url=http://www.azulmagazinedigital.com.br/edicao-68/ |language=pt |magazine=Azul magazine |publisher=Diretoria de Marketing, Comunicação e Marca |access-date=22 December 2018 |page=159 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121130808/http://www.azulmagazinedigital.com.br/edicao-68/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}
}}
| focus_cities = {{Plainlist|
}}
| headquarters = Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil[https://www.voeazul.com.br/br/pt/home Azul Brazilian Airlines website] {{dead link|date=February 2024}}
| lounge =
| alliance =
| revenue = {{profit}} {{BRL|9.97 billion|link=yes}} (2021){{Cite web |url=https://api.mziq.com/mzfilemanager/v2/d/ed78542a-4e01-429a-8926-03d69ccfa307/d9f51dbc-b0bd-920d-9138-2686aa7e21a6?origin=2 |title=2021 Financial Results |date= 24 February 2021 |access-date=20 June 2022 |website=Azul IR |page=14}}
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{BRL|524.9 million|link=yes}} (2021)
| net_income = {{DecreaseNegative}} {{BRL|945.7 million|link=yes}} (2021)
| traded_as = {{B3 (stock exchange)|AZUL4}}
{{nyse|AZUL}}
| subsidiaries = Azul Conecta
| fleet_size = 188
| destinations = 149
| parent =
| key_people = {{indented plainlist|
- David Neeleman (Founder and Chairman){{Cite web|url=https://ri.voeazul.com.br/en/corporate-governance/management/|title=Management}}
- Abhi Shah (President)
- John Rodgerson (CEO)
}}
| num_employees = 12,485
| website = {{URL|https://www.voeazul.com.br/|voeazul.com}}
}}
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S/A (Azul Brazilian Airlines; or simply Azul) is a Brazilian airline headquartered in Barueri, a suburb of São Paulo."[http://imagens.voeazul.com.br/buyText.htm CONTRATO DE TRANSPORTE AÉREO DE PASSAGEIROS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213021215/http://imagens.voeazul.com.br/buyText.htm |date=13 December 2015 }}." Azul Brazilian Airlines. Retrieved on 20 February 2010. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id2008056_561046.htm?chan=innovation_branding_other+innovation+and+design+stories |title=Braving Brazil's 'Airline Graveyard' |access-date=4 June 2008 |author=Jessie Scanlon |date=6 May 2008 |work=BusinessWeek |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326192409/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id2008056_561046.htm?chan=innovation_branding_other+innovation+and+design+stories |archive-date=26 March 2009 }} Azul is a publicly traded company on the Brazilian stock exchange, with the ticker AZUL4.{{Cite web |title=AZUL4 - AÇÕES AZUL: cotação e indicadores |url=https://www.analisedeacoes.com/acoes/azul4/ |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=Análise de Ações |language=pt-BR}} 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 E195 jets.{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/azul-itching-to-launch-low-cost-services-in-brazil-3582|title=Azul itching to launch low cost services in Brazil|date=18 August 2008|access-date=30 October 2014|publisher=CAPA Centre for Aviation}} The airline began service on 15 December 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.voceescolhe.com.br/imprensa/pop_release16.aspx |title=Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras recebe o CHETA e já pode pleitear as rotas que pretende operar |last=Matos |first=Marcela |author2=Silvana Pereira |date=5 November 2008 |work=Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107053035/http://www.voceescolhe.com.br/imprensa/pop_release16.aspx |archive-date=7 January 2009 }}
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),{{cite web | url=https://www.anac.gov.br/assuntos/setor-regulado/empresas/envio-de-informacoes/relatorio-demanda-e-oferta-do-transporte-aereo-empresas-brasileiras | title=Relatório demanda e oferta do transporte aéreo | access-date=15 June 2020 | website=Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) | language=pt}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.voeazul.com.br/aspx/nossaHistoria.aspx|publisher=Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras|title=A história da Azul| language=pt|access-date=16 May 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090512224626/http://voeazul.com.br/aspx/nossaHistoria.aspx| archive-date= 12 May 2009 | url-status= live}} It launched operations with three Embraer E195 and two Embraer E190 aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} Another three aircraft were added in January 2009 to introduce nonstop service from Campinas to both Vitória and Curitiba.
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,{{cite web | url=http://www.brasilturis.com.br/noticias.php?id=4833¬icia=acordo-de-codeshare-entre-azul-e-trip-leva-cliente | title=Acordo de codeshare entre Azul e Trip leva cliente a 100 destinos | publisher=Brasilturis | date=20 September 2012 | access-date=21 September 2012 | language=pt | archive-date=23 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194344/http://www.brasilturis.com.br/noticias.php?id=4833¬icia=acordo-de-codeshare-entre-azul-e-trip-leva-cliente | url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/aviacao/cade-aprova-fusao-da-azul-e-trip-com-condicoes_85995.html | title=Cade aprova fus da Azul e Trip com condições | publisher=Panrotas | date=6 March 2013 | access-date=7 March 2013 | language=pt | first=Danilo | last=Teixeira Alves}} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www2.anac.gov.br/transparencia/PautaDiretoria/2014/Ata060514.pdf | title=Ata da reunião realizada em 6 de maio de 2014 | publisher=ANAC | date=6 May 2014 | access-date=28 June 2014 | language=pt | archive-date=14 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152559/http://www2.anac.gov.br/transparencia/PautaDiretoria/2014/Ata060514.pdf | url-status=dead }}
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.{{cite web | url=https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Marketing/CustComm/Promotions/Pages/AirlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=635 | title=Azul Earning Miles | access-date=25 October 2014 | publisher=United Airlines}}{{cite web | url=http://loyaltylobby.com/2014/03/25/united-airlines-azul-frequent-flier-partnership-earn-redeem-miles-on-azul/#disqus_thread | title=United Airlines & Azul Frequent Flier Partnership (Earn & Redeem Miles On Azul) | date=26 March 2014 | access-date=29 October 2014 | publisher=John Ollila, LoyaltyLobby}} 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.{{fact|date=February 2024}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.panrotas.com.br/noticia-turismo/aviação/azul-confirma-voos-para-fort-lauderdale-e-orlando_103714.html | title=Azul confirma voos para Fort Lauderdale e Orlando | publisher=Panrotas | date=12 August 2014 | access-date=17 August 2014 | language=pt}}
=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.{{cite journal|title=Azul Orders A320neos|journal=Airliner World|date=February 2015|page=12}} In mid 2015, Azul finalised a deal for 30 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, including 20 options, first announced at the 2014 Farnborough International Air Show. The first delivery was scheduled for 2020.{{cite journal|title=Azul Signs for E-Jets|journal=Airliner World|date=July 2015|page=12}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.hnagroup.com/en/news/corporate/index.html | title=HNA Group and Azul Brazilian Airlines Forge Longterm Strategic Partnership | publisher=HNA | date=24 November 2015 | access-date=25 November 2015}} This follows the US$100 million investment of United Airlines closed in June 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-azul-m-a-ual-idUSKBN0P62CJ20150626#mMmWRm98gwk603YG.97 | title=United Airlines to pay $100 million for Azul stake, for foothold in Brazil | publisher=Reuters | date=26 June 2015 | access-date=25 November 2015}}
Azul signed a nonbinding deal to buy Avianca Brasil's assets on 11 March 2019, calling for the rehiring of all Avianca Brazil's staff and the merger between the two carriers, with Azul as the surviving brand.{{cite web |url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2019/03/11/azul-assina-acordo-para-comprar-ativos-da-avianca-brasil.ghtml |title=Azul buys Avianca |date=11 March 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-azul-results-idUSKCN1QV2LZ|title=Brazil's Azul hopes to take over Avianca Brasil's planes at lower lease rates|newspaper=Reuters|date=14 March 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/analysis/analysis-azul-expects-to-close-avianca-brazil-deal-quickly/131861.article|title=ANALYSIS: Azul expects to close Avianca Brazil deal quickly|first=Ghim-Lay|last=Yeo2019-03-14T18:37:00+00:00|website=Flight Global}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/azul-signs-nonbinding-deal-to-buy-avianca-brazil-assets/131783.article|title=Azul signs nonbinding deal to buy Avianca Brazil assets|first=Ghim-Lay|last=Yeo2019-03-11T12:40:25+00:00|website=Flight Global}}
On 14 January 2020, Azul Brazilian Airlines signed an agreement to purchase TwoFlex.{{cite web|url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2020/01/azul-oferta-r-123-milhoes-pela-compra-da-twoflex_170422.html|title=Azul faz acordo para compra da Two Flex por R$ 123 milhões|website=Panrotas|date=14 January 2020|access-date=13 April 2020|language=pt}} On 27 March 2020, the Brazilian regulatory bodies approved the purchase{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroflap.com.br/cade-aprova-compra-da-ultra-regional-two-flex-pela-azul/|title=CADE aprova a compra da ultra-regional TwoFlex pela Azul|website=Aeroflap|date=27 March 2020|access-date=13 April 2020|language=pt}} and sale of flights started on 14 April 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2020/04/azul-inicia-venda-de-voos-operados-pela-twoflex_172767.html|title=Azul inicia venda de voos operados pela TwoFlex|website=Panrotas|date=13 April 2020| access-date=13 April 2020|language=pt}} TwoFlex operates as a feeder airline to Azul.
Corporate affairs
The key trends for Azul are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):{{Cite web |title=SEC filings |url=https://ri.voeazul.com.br/en/investor-information/sec-filings/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Azul RI |language=en-US}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! !Net profit !Number of !Number of !Passenger !Total !References |
style="text-align:left;" |2010
|0.87 |−0.09 |2,940 | | |28 |27 |
style="text-align:left;" |2011
|1.7 |−0.10 |4,329 | | |43 |49 |
style="text-align:left;" |2012
|2.7 |−0.17 |8,914 | | |100 |124 |
style="text-align:left;" |2013
|5.2 |0.02 |9,848 |19.8 |79.1 |103 |137 |
style="text-align:left;" |2014
|5.8 |−0.06 |10,501 |20.4 |79.4 |106 |153 |
style="text-align:left;" |2015
|6.2 |−1.0 |10,533 |21.7 |79.6 |102 |152 |
style="text-align:left;" |2016
|6.6 |−0.12 |10,311 |20.6 |79.7 |102 |139 |
style="text-align:left;" |2017
|7.7 |0.42 |10,878 |22.0 |82.1 |104 |147 |
2018
|9.0 |−0.63 |11,807 |23.1 |82.3 |110 |143 |
2019
|11.4 |−2.4 |13,189 |27.6 |83.5 |116 |166 |
2020
|5.7 |−10.8 |12,004 |14.7 |80.0 |112 |192 |
2021
|9.9 |−4.2 |13,163 |23.3 |79.2 |147 |192 |
2022
|15.9 |−0.72 |14,247 |27.4 |79.7 |158 |212 |
2023
|18.5 |−2.3 |16,017 |29.2 |80.4 |162 |209 |
Destinations
In March 2025, Azul and Azul Conecta served 149 destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Curaçao (Netherlands), France, Paraguay, Portugal, the United States, and Uruguay plus some other additional locations by means of dedicated executive bus services to the nearest airports.{{Cite web|title=Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras on ch-aviation|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/AZU|access-date=10 February 2025|website=ch-aviation}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.voeazul.com.br/experiencia-azul/onibus-azul|title=Ônibus grátis|publisher=Azul Brazilian Airlines|access-date=10 June 2024|language=pt}}
=Interline agreements=
- Aerolíneas Argentinas{{Cite web|url=http://www.melhoresdestinos.com.br/acordo-azul-aerolineas.html|title=Azul assina acordo de interline com Aerolíneas Argentinas|last=denis|website=www.melhoresdestinos.com.br|date=10 July 2014 |access-date=7 January 2017}}
- Air Europa
- Air Transat{{cite web | url=https://www.aviacionline.com/air-transat-and-azul-linhas-aereas-begin-interline-partnership | title=Air Transat and Azul Linhas Aéreas begin interline partnership }}
- Copa Airlines{{Cite web|url=http://exame.abril.com.br/negocios/azul-assina-acordo-de-interline-com-panamenha-copa-airlines/|title=Azul assina acordo de interline com panamenha Copa Airlines {{!}} EXAME.com - Negócios, economia, tecnologia e carreira|website=exame.abril.com.br|access-date=7 January 2017}}
- Etihad Airways
- Hainan Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Singapore Airlines
Fleet
{{as of|2025|4}}, the Azul Brazilian Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:{{cite web|title= Airbus Orders & Deliveries|publisher= Airbus|date= November 2021|url= https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/2021-12/ODs-November-2021-Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft.xlsx|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211217182246/https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/2021-12/ODs-November-2021-Airbus-Commercial-Aircraft.xlsx|archive-date= 17 December 2021|url-status= live}}{{cite web |url=https://sistemas.anac.gov.br/aeronaves/cons_rab_en.asp |title=Brazilian Aircraft Registry (RAB) Inquiry |publisher=Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) |access-date=10 October 2023}}{{needs update|date=October 2024}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110904191930/http://www.aviacaobrasil.com.br/aviacaobrasil/empresas_detalhe.php?cbo_categoria=1&id_tb_empresas=609 Azul History sketch at Aviação Brasil]
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{{Airlines of Brazil}}
{{IATA members|latinam}}
Category:Airlines established in 2008
Category:Companies listed on B3 (stock exchange)