Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has lodged an application with the Uruguayan National Directorate of Civil Aviation and Aeronautical Infrastructure (Dinacia) to create its subsidiary Azul Uruguay (Montevideo Carrasco), reports El Observador.
Once the application has been examined by Dinacia, it will then move to the Aeronautical Board for provisional certification after which the airline can attain its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).
Creating Azul Uruguay is a means for Azul to gain access to the lucrative Montevideo Carrasco – Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery route, which is currently served by Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR, Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery) and Amaszonas Uruguay (AUZ, Montevideo Carrasco). Another contender on the route is Alas del Sur (Córdoba International), which has just been authorised for a period of fifteen years.
Once it is officially set up, Azul Uruguay is interested in establishing a hub at Montevideo, positioning six to eight aircraft there. The new airline plans to absorb some staff from the recently-defunct Alas Uruguay (Montevideo Carrasco). It also plans to run flights from Montevideo to Porto Alegre International and São Paulo Congonhas.
