Azul Conecta
{{short description|Brazilian regional airline}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Azul Conecta
| image = Azul Conecta logo.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| IATA = 2F
| ICAO = ACN
| callsign = AZUL CONECTA
| founded = {{start date and age|2013|04|01}}
| commenced =
| ceased =
| aoc = 10,039 - December 14, 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}}
| bases = {{ubl|
| {{nowrap|Belém}}
| {{nowrap|Belo Horizonte}}
| {{nowrap|Campinas}}
| {{nowrap|Cuiabá}}
| {{nowrap|Curitiba}}
| {{nowrap|Manaus}}
| {{nowrap|Recife}}
| {{nowrap|Santarém}}}}
| hubs =
| secondary_hubs =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = TudoAzul
| lounge =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
| fleet_size = 27 (as of April 2024)
| destinations = 58 (as of April 2025)
| parent = Azul Brazilian Airlines
| headquarters = Jundiaí, Brazil
| key_people = Antônio Flávio Costa (President)
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| website = {{URL|www.voeazul.com.br}}
}}
Azul Conecta (stylized as Azul [Conecta]), formerly known as TwoFlex Aviação Inteligente, is a Brazilian domestic and subregional airline headquartered in Jundiaí, São Paulo, established in 2013. It is a subsidiary of Azul Brazilian Airlines, operating feeder and cargo flights connecting cities in the interior of Brazil to the parent company's hubs.
History
=Establishment=
Azul Conecta was formed as TwoFlex on April 1, 2013, as a result of the merger of Two Táxi Aéreo and Flex Aero Táxi Aéreo.{{cite web | url=http://www.aviacaopaulista.com/aviacao_comercial/historia_das_companhias_aereas/twoflex.htm | title=TWOFlex possui a maior frota de Cessna Caravan do Brasil | website=Aviação Paulista | date=4 February 2018 | access-date=10 September 2019 | language=pt}}{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroin.net/twoflex-e-a-mais-nova-associada-da-abear/ | title=TWOFLEX é a mais nova associada da ABEAR | website=Aeroin | date=11 June 2019 | access-date=10 September 2019 | language=pt}}
Between August 2016 and June 2019, TwoFlex operated wet lease flights on behalf of Voe Minas Gerais, a state-run project that connected cities within the State of Minas Gerais to the State capital Belo Horizonte. TwoFlex was the only operator for the duration of this program, which was discontinued on June 30, 2019.{{cite web | url=http://www.codemge.com.br/atuacao/voeminasgerais/ | title=Voe Minas Gerais | website=Codemge | access-date=9 September 2019 | language=pt | archive-date=2 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702160900/http://www.codemge.com.br/atuacao/voeminasgerais/ | url-status=dead }}
===TwoFlex Aviação Inteligente (2017-2020)===
In November 2017, Twoflex was granted rights to operate regular feeder passenger flights connecting smaller locations to main cities in all Brazilian territory. At the time, this authorization led to the increase of services provided by Voe Minas Gerais.{{cite web | url=https://www.anac.gov.br/acesso-a-informacao/reunioes-da-diretoria-colegiada/reunioes-deliberativas-da-diretoria/2018/1a-reuniao-deliberativa-da-diretoria/00058-085638-2016-12/decisao-ad-referendum | title=Decisão Ad Referendum Processo: 00058.085638/2016-12 | website=ANAC | date=29 December 2017 | access-date=10 September 2019 | language=pt}}{{cite web | url=https://aeromagazine.uol.com.br/artigo/taxi-aereo-de-minas-gerais-recebe-autorizacao-para-fazer-voos-regionais-em-todo-o-brasil_3722.html | title=Táxi-aéreo que atua em MG recebe autorização para fazer voos regionais em todo o Brasil | website=Aeromagazine | date=27 November 2017 | access-date=10 September 2019 | language=pt}}
Being authorized to operate feeder services nationwide, on April 12, 2019, TwoFlex announced an adapted Essential Air Service partnership with GOL Linhas Aéreas in which TwoFlex would operate feeder services on behalf of Gol in the States of Amazonas, Pará and Mato Grosso.{{cite web | url=https://www.voegol.com.br/pt/a-gol/imprensa/gol-anuncia-parceria-com-a-twoflex-para-expans%C3%A3o-de-malha-regional | title=GOL anuncia parceria com a TwoFlex para expansão de malha regional | website=Gol Transportes Aéreos | date=12 April 2019 | access-date=9 September 2019 | language=pt }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Following the same trend, flights to six locations in Rio Grande do Sul{{cite web | url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/distribuicao/2019/07/governo-do-rs-assina-decreto-para-ampliar-voos-regionais_165775.html | title=Governo do RS assina decreto para ampliar voos regionais | website=Panrotas | date=4 July 2019 | access-date=11 September 2019 | language=pt}} and eleven in Paraná{{cite web | url=http://www.aen.pr.gov.br/modules/noticias/article.php?storyid=103181 | title=Paraná ganha 11 novas rotas de voos espalhadas pelo Estado | website=Agência de notícias do Paraná | date=7 August 2019 | access-date=11 September 2019 | language=pt}} were confirmed.
Another consequence of this authorization was being allowed to bid for slots at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport.{{cite web | url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/empresas/2019/06/two-flex-tambem-pede-slots-para-operar-em-congonhas_165337.html | title=Two Flex também pede slots para operar em Congonhas | website=Panrotas | date=17 June 2019 | access-date=10 September 2019}} On August 14, 2019, the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil confirmed that TwoFlex was granted 14 slots at Congonhas but can only operate using the auxiliary runway 17L/35R.{{cite web | url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2019/08/anac-oficializa-alocacao-de-slots-em-congonhas_166761.html | title=Anac oficializa alocação de slots em Congonhas | website=Panrotas | date=14 August 2019 | access-date=9 September 2019 | language=pt}} TwoFlex plans to connect São Paulo-Congonhas with three cities in São Paulo State and one in Rio de Janeiro State.{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroflap.com.br/twoflex-faz-solicitacao-de-slots-para-operar-em-congonhas/ | title=TWOFLEX faz solicitação de slots para operar em Congonhas | website=Aeroflap | date=17 June 2019 | access-date=11 September 2019 | language=pt}}
=Acquisition by Azul Brazilian Airlines (2020-present)=
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=18 February 2020 | language=pt}} On March 27, 2020, the Brazilian regulatory bodies gave its full permission (nihil obstat) to 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 April 14, 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}} On 11 August 2020, the airline was rebranded as Azul Conecta to reflect its partnership with Azul Brazilian Airlines. It operates feeder services to bases of Azul.{{cite web | url=https://www.mercadoeeventos.com.br/noticias/aviacao/companhia-regional-da-azul-azul-conecta-e-lancada-oficialmente-meta-e-chegar-a-200-destinos/ | title=Companhia regional da Azul, Azul Conecta é lançada oficialmente; meta é chegar a 200 destinos | website=Mercados e eventos | date=11 August 2020 | access-date=11 August 2020 | language=pt}}
Destinations
As of March 2025, Azul Conecta serves 59 destinations in Brazil, feeding services of its sister company Azul Brazilian Airlines using its platform and operated by Azul Conecta:{{Cite web|url=https://www.voeazul.com.br/br/pt/sobreazul/mapa-de-rotas|title=Mapa de Rotas|website=Azul|language=pt|access-date=9 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;" |
| style="background-color:#FFE6BD"|
|Base |
| style="background-color:#FFFF80"|
|Future |
| style="background-color:#DDDDDD"|
|Terminated |
a.{{Note|Rivera}}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.
Fleet
{{As of|2024|04}}, Azul Conecta operates the following aircraft:{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/ad-azu/fleet|title=Azul Linhas Aereas fleet|website=FlightRadar24|date=12 February 2024|access-date=29 April 2024|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/ad-azu/fleet|title=AZUL CONECTA|website=Aeromuseu|date=28 April 2024|access-date=29 April 2024|language=pt-BR}}
| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+Azul Conecta Fleet ! style="background:#031d40; color:white;"|Aircraft ! style="background:#031d40; color:white;"|In Service ! style="background:#031d40; color:white;"|Orders ! style="background:#031d40; color:white;"|Passengers ! style="background:#031d40; color:white;"|Note |
| rowspan="1" |
| rowspan="1" | 2
| rowspan="1" | —
| rowspan="1" | 9
| rowspan="1" | TwoFlex {{Tooltip|cs|Color}} |
| rowspan="1" |
| rowspan="1" | 12
| rowspan="1" | —
| rowspan="1" | 9
| rowspan="1" | — |
| rowspan="1" |
| rowspan="1" | 10
| rowspan="1" | —
| rowspan="1" | 9
| rowspan="1" | — |
| rowspan="1" |
| rowspan="1" | 3
| rowspan="1" | —
| rowspan="1" | Cargo
| rowspan="1" | {{Tooltip|opby|Operated by}} Azul Conecta Cargo |
| TOTAL
!27 !— ! colspan="2" | |
|---|
Airline affinity program
Azul Conecta accrue benefits as per Azul Brazilian Airlines Frequent Flyer Program program Tudo Azul.
Accidents and incidents
- 16 September 2019: Cessna 208 Caravan registration PT-MHC operating a flight from Manaus to Maués crashed in a wooded area on takeoff. All ten on board survived the accident. Thunderstorms were present in the area around the time of departure. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20190916-0|title=Accident description PT-MHC|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=18 September 2019}}
- 5 May 2024: Cessna 208 Caravan registration PS-CNB was stuck at Salgado Filho Porto Alegre International Airport after the apron and runways were flooded during the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods. On 22 June 2024, the aircraft was flown to the airline maintenance base at Jundiaí Airport.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/387742|title=Incident description PS-CNB|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=23 June 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://aeroin.net/finalmente-azul-retira-o-aviao-cessna-caravan-que-havia-ficado-alagado-no-aeroporto-salgado-filho/|title=Finalmente, Azul retira o avião Cessna Caravan que havia ficado alagado no Aeroporto Salgado Filho|website=Aeroin|date=22 June 2024|access-date=23 June 2024|language=pt}}
See also
References
{{Portal|Aviation|Brazil}}
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.facebook.com/TwoFlexAviacaoInteligente/ Facebook page]
{{Airlines of Brazil}}
{{Aviation lists}}
{{Brazil topics}}
Category:Airlines established in 2013