JACKSON FLORES / RIO DE JANEIRO
Brazilian airline Vasp is predicting a turnaround next year after reducing its first-half loss to $2.9 million, compared with a $59.4 million loss for the same period of 2002.
The airline believes it will end its 2003 financial year with gross revenues of $381 million, and has initiated a major fleet-renewal effort. It is aiming to wrest back its position as Brazil's third largest carrier, which it surrendered earlier this year to low- fare airline Gol Transportes Aéreos.
After resizing around a 26-strong passenger aircraft fleet, the airline aims to double in size over the next three years. Vasp operates 19 ageing Boeing 737-200/200Advs - some of which are over 30 years old - that it aims to replace in a $220 million renewal plan, recently announced by chief executive Wagner Canhedo. Three Airbus A300B2s and four 737-300s are also operated.
Vasp believes it will conclude this year's financial arrangements with domestic and foreign entities to initiate the long-delayed fleet renewal. Canhedo intends to negotiate lease-finance deals for 10 Airbus A320s or 737-700s during 2004.
The airline is reportedly acquiring six ex-Olympic Airways 737-200Advs to replace older 737-200s.
Local observers believe the recently announced postponement of deliveries of Embraer 170/195s to Swiss International Airlines could enable Vasp to negotiate a deal with the Brazilian state-owned development bank BNDES to lease nine Embraer 170s next year.
Source: Flight International
