Story ID: GPazul12012014
Azul Orders 35 More A320neos
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Direct order from Airbus adds to lease contracts with AerCap and GECAS
Word Count: 277
Azul Brazilian Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for thirty-five 174-seat A320neos, Airbus announced Monday. The airline, which has also agreed to lease another 20 A320neos from AerCap and eight from GECAS, plans to use the airplanes to carry out domestic long haul flights and high density routes, including Campinas-Salvador and Campinas-Recife. Azul has chosen the CFM Leap-1C engine option for its A320neo fleet. Airbus also offers the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G “geared” turbofan to power the new narrowbodies, delivery of which Azul expects to run from 2016 to 2023.  

 “In addition to its market leading economics, which will allow Azul to stimulate new demand, the A320neo is also a perfect complement to our E-Jet fleet, giving us additional seats and capacity that can be dedicated to strategic projects like TudoAzul, Azul Viagens and Azul Cargo,” said Azul CEO and founder David Neeleman.

 “We are pleased that Azul recognizes Airbus’ commitment to Brazil and the importance of operating the high performance A320neo in key airports such as Santos Dumont in Rio,” added Airbus COO for customers John Leahy. This order truly underscores the leading position of the A320neo in the single aisle market.”

In April, Azul announced that it would start operating long haul flights early this month. The airline expects to fly new international routes with a fleet of 12 leased widebody Airbus aircraft, including seven Airbus A330-200s and, later, five Airbus A350-900s. Initial services connect Campinas with Fort Lauderdale and Miami starting December 1. Schedules call for a new route between Campinas and Orlando to open on December 15.