Azul Linhas Aéreas, one of Brazil’s leading airlines, has recently announced a significant expansion to its fleet with a firm order for four additional A330-900 aircraft. This order, part of a purchase agreement signed in June 2023, marks a strategic move for the airline to enhance its international route offerings.
The Airbus A330neo, the latest addition to Airbus’ widebody family, powers these new aircraft. Equipped with the advanced Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 boasts an impressive non-stop range of 7,200 nautical miles (13,300 kilometers). This capability positions the A330neo as a frontrunner in the short-to-medium haul widebody market. As of November 2023, the A330 Family has garnered over 1,800 firm orders from more than 130 customers globally, underscoring its status as the world’s most popular widebody aircraft family.
“We are proud to announce this order, as it confirms Azul as the airline with the most fuel- efficient fleet in the region, with over 80% of our capacity coming from next-generation aircraft. With the five A330neos we currently operate and the seven we now have on order, we will standardize our international fleet, allowing us to further enhance Azul’s renowned customer experience and on-time performance,” said Alexandre Malfitani, Azul’s Chief Financial Officer.
Azul's Growing Legacy: Over a Decade of Expansion in the Aviation Industry
Since its inception in 2008, Azul has rapidly grown, establishing itself as a major player in the Brazilian aviation sector. The airline currently services an extensive network of over 160 destinations across Brazil, the United States, Europe, and South America.
Notably, in 2019, Azul received the first A330neo in the Americas and now operates a total of 12 A330 Family aircraft. This latest acquisition of A330-900s is a testament to Azul’s commitment to expanding its international presence and enhancing passenger experience.
“Azul’s re-confirmed confidence in the A330neo underscores once again, that the A330neo’s economics and performance are making a true difference in Azul’s widebody strategy, coming out on top of the competition,” says Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. “While Azul will leverage the full potential of Airbus’ unique commonality between its A330 and A320 Family fleets, passengers can rave about a spacious, best-in-class cabin experience – and this on every long-haul flight the airline offers on its attractive, globally growing network.”