Brazil's civil aviation administration, ANAC, has awarded start-up carrier Azul an air operator's certificate, keeping it on track for early 2009 services.
According to an ANAC source, Azul started its certification process in March and has passed all technical, operational and financial assessments.
The airline, which will operate Embraer 190 and 195 jets has also received the "judicial authorisation to operate", an additional requisite to launch a carrier in Brazil.
Azul now needs only a concession contract to be allowed to operate air routes in Brazil.
"Once the document has been submitted to ANAC, it can be approved at any of its weekly directory meetings. After that, the mutual contract signature may take up to 30 days after which the airline must finally submit to ANAC the routes it plans to operate, which is when it can start selling tickets," the source explains.
Beyond the routine procedures to start operations, the most challenging barrier of entry Azul might face is access to Brazil's most important, but slot-controlled, airports - particularly Sao Paulo Congonhas.
But ANAC has already submitted new slot distribution rules to airlines and government agencies for consultation, meaning that Azul could benefit from a more flexible system aimed at cutting back abuse from carriers holding unused legacy slot rights.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
