Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has confirmed that it has sold ten ATR72-600 aircraft to Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) in a deal worth approximately BRL325 million (USD102.5 million). Five aircraft will leave Azul's fleet in late 2017, and the remainder in early 2018.
Azul currently has a total of forty ATR72-600 in its fleet, with an average age of 4.4 years. As part of the sale, Azul will lease three new ATR72-600s from NAC.
"In line with our fleet strategy of having the right type of aircraft for the markets we serve, we have identified several markets that are ready to be upgraded to larger aircraft," said John Rodgerson, Azul's CEO. "[It] is only natural that we replace smaller aircraft with larger next generation aircraft."
For its part, NAC says it sees strong demand for the ATR72-600, so is pleased with the acquisition of Azul's aircraft. "This is not the first time we have purchased and remarketed aircraft from Azul and the response from the new operators of these aircraft has been so positive that we have decided to acquire even more aircraft," said NAC's Chairman, Martin Moller.
The rest of Azul's fleet comprises eight A320-200(neo), six A330-200s, ten E190s and sixty E195s.
