GROWS CARGO BUSINESS
aircraft. It is also to lease a further 28 of the aircraft type. In mid2015, Azul finalised a deal for 30 Embraer E-195 E2 aircraft (including 20 options) first announced at the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow. The first delivery is scheduled for 2020.
The Chinese HNA Group, owner of Hainan Airlines, has invested in Azul, becoming the largest single shareholder of Azul. This follows the $100 million investment of United Airlines in June 2015.
Azul serves 106 destinations in Brazil, French Guiana, the United States and Uruguay plus some other additional locations by means of dedicated executive bus services to the nearest airports. Services to Portugal will start on June 22, 2016. Azul has codeshare agreements with JetBlue, TAP Portugal and United Airlines.
Azul’s service offering features individual entertainment screens incorporating free LiveTV at every seat on virtually all its jets, extensive legroom with a pitch of 30 inches or more, two by two seating with no middle seats, complimentary beverage and assortment of 12 snacks, and free bus service to key airports including between the city of São Paulo and Campinas airport. Azul has competitive airfares, a comprehensive route network connecting 106 cities Brasil and an innovative frequent flier programme called TudoAzul.
Azul’s differentiated business strategy, superior customer experience, and innovative branding are the key drivers of its continuous growth, as demonstrated by the numbers below. Added to its passenger growth, Azul has continuously grown its cargo revenues too. It started cargo operations on August 17, 2009 between Viracopos, Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador airports. In November of the same year, it started door-to-door express service delivery. Azul Cargo daily operates an integrated network of aircraft, vehicles, systems and special team, enabling the exploration of new markets and opening opportunities. In 2014, Azul Cargo began scheduled flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in the United States, opening up new possibilities for business with the international market.
Beginning as a small-town carrier, over the years, Azul has expanded its business and has grown into a major airline. Its business model is worthy of emulation in a country such as India which too has a vast geographical boundary.