Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) is planning to transfer up to 1,700 flight crew to equity partner, China's HNA Group, as part of its cost-reduction plan.
According to an airline circular seen by the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, the transfer will be effected in phases with the first phase to see 100 pilots moved across to HNA units which include Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou), Grand China Air (CN, Haikou), Tianjin Airlines (GS, Tianjin), Lucky Air (China) (8L, Dali) and West Air (China) (PN, Chongqing). Following a three-year tour, the pilots will then be given the option of returning to Brazil or staying on.
Coupled with staff cuts, the Brazilian LCC is also planning to cut capacity across its network through the termination of an unspecified number of flights and the returning to their lessors of an unspecified number of aircraft during the second half of the year.
