Azul Reports September Traffic

Azul, one of the biggest names in Brazillian aviation and the largest airline in Brazil by the number of cities served and flight departures, released its preliminary traffic results for September 2018, earlier this week.

According to the numbers, consolidated passenger traffic (RPKs) was up some  16.0% compared to September 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 16.1%. As a result, the load factor remained flat at 83.2%. Domestic load factor was 82.6% and international was 85.0%.

“In the third quarter, consolidated RPKs increased 20.2% on a capacity increase of 19.3% year over year. We are very pleased with the current demand environment in Brazil, which continues to improve as we approach the high season. We have just received our 18th A320neo, and couldn’t be more excited with the superior economics and revenue enhancing benefits of these aircraft,” says John Rodgerson, Azul’s CEO. 

Azul currently operates some 766 flights each day to over 110 destinations on a fleet of 120 aircraft and employs more than 10,000 crewmembers. As of 30th September this year, the airline had a network of 218 non-stop routes and was recently awarded best airline in Latin America by TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice and best regional carrier in South America for the eighth consecutive time by Skytrax. 

Three new Bombardier Q400s for Philippine Airlines from Chrous

Chorus Aviation from Canada has confirmed this week that is placing three Bombardier Q400 turboprops with Philippine Airlines on a long-term lease basis.  

The new Q400s are scheduled for delivery to Philippine Airlines during the latter part of this year and are the first leasing transactions in the fast-growing Southeast Asia region for the Halifax based Chorus Aviation.  The company's president, Steven Ridolfi said: "Philippine Airlines is a celebrated airline with a long and renowned history as the flag carrier of the Philippines, and we are very proud to count them amongst our customers."

PAL President & Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said, "We are very pleased to form this working partnership with Chorus Aviation Capital and we look forward to building business ties with them. By joining their growing portfolio of aircraft lessees, Philippine Airlines will be able to further grow its domestic market. New aircraft help us to build new air links and increase flight frequencies on routes that are vital to national commerce."

The August sun shone brightly for Azul

One of the leading airlines of Brazil and the largest by the number of cities served, Azul has released its latest figures for the month of August. 

Consolidated passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 21.5% compared to August 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 20.3%. As a result, load factor was 82.4%, just 0.8 percentage points higher than August last year. Domestic load factor was 81.2% and international was 85.7%.

"In addition to the healthy demand environment we are seeing, we have recently received our 17th A320neo, the key driver of our margin expansion plan going forward. We are just at the beginning of our fleet transformation process and I couldn't be more excited", says John Rodgerson, Azul's CEO.

ATR at Farnborough 2018

Hokkaido Air System Company, part of the JAL Group Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ATR for the purchase of two firm ATR 42-600s with an option for a third. 

It is planned that Hokkaido Air will begin operating these aircraft from 2020 to replace the airlines fleet of aging Saab 340's.  The carriers President, Yoichiro Kuwano said, “The ATR 42-600 benefits from a wide cabin, comparable to that of medium-sized aircraft and will significantly improve cabin comfort for our passengers. Also, the aircraft has extensive experience with operations in cold winter, which will increase the reliability of the operation in cold Hokkaido. With this new aircraft and the safe operation system we’ve established, we will continue to provide reliable and comfortable travel to local businesses and communities.”

Azul releases figures for May

 Azul the largest airline in Brazil by the number of cities served, announces today its preliminary traffic results for May 2018.

Consolidated passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 14.0% compared to May 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 13.5%. As a result, load factor was 80.1%, 0.3 percentage points higher than in the same period last year.

Azul in April

Azul, Brazil's largest airline by the number of cities served has announced its April preliminary results.  Which showed an increase in passenger traffic of 17.2% compared to the same period last year. As a result, load factor was 81.4%, 0.3 percentage points lower than in the same period last year.  And crucially for passengers, Azul continues to be the most on-time airline in Brazil with 90% of flights departing within 15 minutes of departure time, according to FlightStats. 

United Airlines increases economic stake in Azul to 8.0%

Azul has announced that current shareholder United Airlines has just concluded a private preferred share transaction with Hainan Airlines. The transaction increased United's economic stake in Azul from 3.7% to 8.0%.

Azul is selected as the best airline in Latin America by TripAdvisor

Chosen by millions of travellers, Azul is a winner in multiple categories in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards. In addition to winning the best airline in Latin America, Azul was also selected as having the best Business class and the best Economy class in Latin America.  Finally, Azul was the only airline in Latin America to be in included among the top 10 best airlines in the world. This is the 2nd consecutive year Azul has been selected by TripAdvisor Travelers' choice as the best airline in Brazil and Latin America. This is the first time Azul has been selected as having the best Business class in Latin America.

The top airlines according to TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice® awards for airlines, identifying travelers' favorite carriers around the globe. For 2018, Singapore Airlines was named the number one airline in the world and Southwest Airlines ranked as the best U.S. carrier. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by travelers worldwide, over a 12-month period on TripAdvisor Flights.  

"We're thrilled to recognize the global TripAdvisor community's favourite airlines and shine a spotlight on the carriers around the world that provide the very best flying experiences," said Bryan Saltzburg, senior vice president and general manager for TripAdvisor Flights. 

Asian Carriers Flying High 

Among the global top 10, Asian carriers dominated with four airlines on the list (Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA Air and Korean Air); followed by the Middle East with two airlines (Emirates and Qatar Airways).

Top 10 Airlines in the World:

Recognizing airlines around the world that deliver consistently exceptional experiences to the global traveller.

Read on for the top ten.........

Azul brings Paris closer than ever

Azul announces today that it will bring Paris - one of the most visited destinations in the world - closer to Brazilians. In partnership with the French carrier Aigle Azur, Azul will market nonstop flights from Sao Paulo - Viracopos (Brazil) to Paris (France) starting in July this year. With unparalleled connectivity at Viracopos airport, the largest domestic hub in Latin America by the number of direct destinations, Azul customers from all over Brazil will benefit from a seamless travel experience to Paris and beyond.

In partnership with the French airline Aigle Azur, 

Sao Paulo-Viracopos will have nonstop flights to Paris

Big plans for Azul with flights to up to 35 new cities coming soon....

The arrival of air service to a city gets the attention of local business people and entrepreneurs; it also sparks the interest of someone planning a holiday or work trip, and consequently supports and boosts the local economy. With this vision, Azul plans to expand its network by up to 35 new cities in the coming years in various regions of Brazil, as well as to select international destinations.

Planned destinations do not currently have commercial flights; 

new service to stimulate local economy

This Saturday, March 24, the company will debut its newest destinations: Rosario and Cordoba, both in Argentina. The list of potential new cities also includes Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Caruaru, Mossoró, Serra Talhada, Guarapuava, Toledo, Umuarama, Pato Branco, among others. The vast majority of the markets will be served with ATR 72-600 aircraft, which have the capacity for up to 70 passengers and are best suited for short-haul flights. The Company's guidance for 2018 already contemplates the addition of eight to ten new destinations, representing less than 5% of the capacity growth expected for this year.

Azul Reports February Traffic

Azul the largest airline in Brazil by the number of destinations and departures, announced last week its preliminary traffic results for February 2018.

Passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 16.3% compared to February 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 15.2%. As a result, load factor was 80.1%, 0.8 percentage points higher than in the same period last year.

Year to date we continue to be the number one on-time airline in Brazil, with an on-time arrival rate of 86.08% according to FlightStats. 

Azul Reports January Traffic

Azul, the largest airline in Brazil by number of destinations and departures, announces today its preliminary traffic results for January 2018.

Passenger traffic (RPKs) increased 14.0% compared to January 2017 on a capacity increase (ASKs) of 12.3%. As a result, load factor was 85.4%, 1.3 percentage points higher than in the same period last year.

As in 2017, we were again in January the number one on-time airline in Brazil, with an on-time arrival rate of 84.6% according to FlightStats.

	Jan-18	Jan-17	% ∆
Total
RPK (million)	2.269	1.991	14,0%
ASK (million)	2.658	2.368	12,3%
Load factor	85,4%	84,1%	+1,3 p.p.
Domestic
RPK (million)	1.682	1.638	2,7%
ASK (million)	2.016	1.992	1,2%
Load factor	83,4%	82,2%	+1,2 p.p.
International
RPK (million)	587	353	66,4%
ASK (million)	642	375	71,0%
Load factor	91,4%	94,0%	-2,6 p.p.

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Azul is the most on-time airline in Brazil and the most on-time Low-cost carrier in the Americas

Azul Brazilian Airlines is the most on-time airline in Brazil and the most on-time low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Americas.  As reported in the official OAG worldwide airline punctuality rankings, 84.14% of Azul flights arrived within 14 minutes and 59 seconds of their scheduled arrival time.  This on-time metric also makes Azul the fifth most on-time LCC in the world. 

OAG worldwide punctuality league 2018 names

 Azul as the most on-time LCC in the Americas

"This industry-leading result is a direct reflection of our constant focus on operational excellence.  Finishing the year as the most on-time LCC in the Americas demonstrates the high standards that we promise and deliver to our customers. This accomplishment is even more impressive considering that we operate almost 800 daily flights and fly to more than 100 destinations, which is approximately twice the number of domestic destinations served by our competitors.  I want to thank our crewmembers for their incredible dedication and focus in delivering the best customer experience in the industry", said David Neeleman, Azul's founder and Chairman. 

Azul and Turkish agree a codeshare deal

Azul the largest airline in Brazil by the number of cities and departures, and Turkish Airlines, the largest airline group in Turkey, announced this week, the signing of a codeshare agreement effective as of 08 December 2017.

Through the codeshare partnership, Turkish will add its code (TK) on Azul domestic flights. As a result, customers will be able to purchase tickets directly from all of Turkish Airlines' sales channels to fly to Brazilian domestic destinations operated by Azul.

"The codeshare with Turkish Airlines will be very important to strengthen our international presence, especially for customers travelling from Europe and Asia to Brazil. Now they will be able to enjoy the convenience of thru ticketing, check-in and boarding passes.  On the domestic connection customers will experience the market leading and award-winning service of Azul, "says Abhi Shah Azul's Chief Revenue Officer.

"As Turkish Airlines, we are glad to be a codeshare partner with Azul, one of the most important airlines of Brazil. In conjunction with this new commercial cooperation, passengers would enjoy travelling from Sao Paulo to different Brazilian destinations as a continuation of their seamless Istanbul-Sao Paulo flight", said Bilal EKŞİ, Turkish Airlines Deputy Chairman & CEO.

Azul and JetBlue Agree Codeshare Deal.

Photo JetBlue

 Brazilian carrier Azul announced yesterday a brand new tie up with JetBlue Airways through a unilateral codeshare agreement. Azul will place its "AD" code on JetBlue flights between several destinations and JetBlue’s focus cities in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and Orlando (MCO). From both Florida gateways Azul operates nonstop service to the airline’s hub at São Paulo, Brazil’s Viracopos International Airport (VCP) and Recife (REC).

Customers purchasing a codeshare itinerary will benefit from having a single ticket issued by Azul that includes flights operated by both Azul and JetBlue and the customer friendly convenience of thru check-in and baggage transfer.