Brazil’s Azul Concludes A350 Operations, Shifts Focus to A330-900neo Fleet

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, commonly known as Azul, has officially phased out its Airbus A350-900 operations. The Brazilian airline’s last A350-900 departed from São Paulo Viracopos for Fort Lauderdale International on April 9, under the ferry flight number AD9840, according to Flightradar24 ADS-B data. This marks the end of the aircraft’s brief service period with Azul, which began in September 2022 and concluded in January 2024.

Initially, Azul’s leadership had incorporated the A350-900 into the fleet as part of a broader renewal strategy aimed at replacing its older A330-200s. John Rodgerson, the chief executive, highlighted the plan in September 2022, envisioning the A350-900 as a cornerstone of Azul’s modernized fleet. However, the strategy shifted significantly within a year as the airline transitioned its focus towards the Airbus A330-900neo, solidifying an order for four of these aircraft in June 2023. Alexandre Malfitani, Azul’s CFO, stated that the decision was made to standardize the international fleet around the newer A330neo models, which better met the airline’s operational needs.

The now-retired A350 is owned and managed by AerCap, with its previous A350, also under AerCap’s management and currently undergoing maintenance at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi before being put into service with Thai Airways International.

Azul continues to operate a diverse fleet, now primarily focused around newer aircraft models for efficiency and performance. The current lineup includes forty-nine Airbus A320-200Ns, six A321-200NX(LR)s, four A330-200s, five A330-900neos (with an additional nine on order), and a variety of other aircraft serving both domestic and international routes. Additionally, Azul’s regional subsidiary, Azul Conecta, operates twenty-four Cessna Grand Caravan turboprops, further illustrating the breadth of Azul’s operational assets.

This fleet adjustment reflects Azul’s ongoing strategy to optimize its operational capabilities and enhance its service offerings in the competitive airline market, focusing on modern, fuel-efficient aircraft that align with its long-term business objectives.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Flightradar24, Azul