Azul

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a subsidiary of American International Group (AIG), has entered into an agreement with Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (Azul Brazilian Airlines) to lease eight Airbus aircraft.

The deal comprises five Airbus A350-900 and three A330-200 jets, which will be operated on the Brazilian carrier’s new international routes from Sao Paulo/Campinas airport to the US and may launch early next year.

ILFC chief executive officer Henri Courpron said that the company is pleased to support Azul’s introduction of international service with the Airbus A350s and A330s.

"There is a real opportunity for Azul to build on its successful base in Brazil and provide air service in a region, which is becoming increasingly important to the aviation marketplace," Courpron said.

"There is a real opportunity for Azul to build on its successful base in Brazil and provide air service in a region, which is becoming increasingly important to the aviation marketplace."

The A350-900 aircraft under the deal are expected to be delivered in 2017, while deliveries of the A330-200 aircraft are expected to commence in 2014.

Recently, Azul Brazilian Airlines announced its plans to add 11 wide-body aircraft from Airbus in order to begin its services in the US.

Together, the jets are worth nearly $2bn at list prices.

Azul Brazilian Airlines started operations around six years ago and has flown more than 85 million customers, expanding to 880 daily flights.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 136 aircraft.

In 2013, Azul planned for an IPO estimated at up to R$1bn ($452.1m), but later dismissed plans amid unfavourable financial markets.

Image: Azul Brazilian Airlines’ Embraer 190 at Curitiba Airport, Brazil. Photo: courtesy of Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz.

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