Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) announced accelerated plans to retire a further nine E195s by the end of 2023. Including three others due to be converted into freighters, the carrier intends to reduce its E1 fleet by 40% compared to 2019 levels.
"This announcement demonstrates our ability to accelerate the phase-out of previous-generation Embraer E1s. The exit of the E1s gives us the opportunity to advance the delivery of next-generation E2, further expanding our margins given the E2's 26% lower seat cost compared to the E1," Chief Financial Officer Alex Malfitani said.
Five of the aircraft will be sold to Azorra to reduce Azul's debt burden while the other four are currently dry-leased and will be returned to their owners. As a result of the accelerated phase-out, Azul's E195-E1 fleet will have decreased from 55 in 2019 to 33 aircraft at the end of 2023.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that currently, the Brazilian airline continues to operate forty-seven E195-E1s, including three as freighters. The airline owns six and dry-leases the remainder. Azul is in the process of replacing the E1s with E195-E2s, of which it has so far inducted nine and has a further 51 on firm order from the manufacturer and a further three from Aircastle. Following the delivery timeline adjustment agreed upon during the pandemic, the E2s will continue delivering beyond 2024.
