Brazilian carrier Azul has sped the pace of its fleet renewal by upping the number of Embraer E195-E2s and Airbus A320neo-family aircraft it plans to acquire in 2019.
A revised fleet plan released by Azul on 6 February also calls for more retirements in 2019 of first-generation E195s, one less A330 delivery and no ATR deliveries.
The changes will leave the carrier with a year-end fleet of 129 aircraft, down from a previously planned 131 aircraft, Azul says.
But the addition of larger aircraft will raise 2019 available seat miles 18% year-over-year while departures will be up 5%, says Azul.
The new fleet plan calls for Azul to acquire 21 new aircraft in 2019, including 12 A320neo-family aircraft, six E195-E2 and three A330s. It will also retire 15 E195s this year.
The earlier fleet plan called for Azul to acquire 13 aircraft in 2019, including seven A320neo-family aircraft, two E195-E2s, four A330s and three ATR turboprops. The carrier previously planned to retire eight E195s this year.
The company calls the changes "a further step in achieving Azul's margin expansion plan".
In recent days news broke that Azul received two A320neos previously operated by bankrupt carrier Avianca Brazil.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
