ILFC and Azul sign agreement to lease five A350-900 and three A330-200 aircraft

Azul Brazilian Airlines (Azul) and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) signed (23-Apr-2014) an agreement to lease five A350-900 and three A330-200 aircraft. The aircraft will be operated on the airline's new international routes from São Paulo/Campinas airport to the US, which are expected to launch in early 2015. ILFC CEO Henri Courpron said, "ILFC is pleased to support Azul's introduction of international service with these Airbus A350s and A330s... There is a real opportunity for Azul to build on its successful base in Brazil and provide air service in a region which is becoming increasingly important to the aviation marketplace. We believe this is only the beginning of a successful strategic partnership between Azul and ILFC." Azul CEO and founder David Neeleman added, "Azul is the one airline that truly serves all of Brazil. With 104 destinations, Azul unites the country better than any other airline, with convenient and frequent connections... Our customers have been asking for this and now we look forward to providing them with our superior service on international flights, just as we have been doing today on our 880 daily domestic departures. We're excited to share the Azul experience with new customers internationally and expand the airline's success story beyond Brazil's borders." The A350-900 aircraft are anticipated to deliver in 2017, while deliveries of the A330-200 aircraft are expected to begin in 2014. Rolls-Royce engines will power the aircraft. [more - original PR]