In the space of ten days, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has started flying to three new destinations - Macaé, Guarapuava T.Thomas de Faria, and Araraquara - all of which previously had no scheduled commercial flights. With these three new points, the airline's network has reached 106 destinations in Brazil and 116 worldwide, according to an airline press release.
“We finished 2019 just as we started the year, taking air transportation to Brazilian regions that are far from urban centres, thus helping Brazil to develop more easily and quickly. Our most recent inauguration was in Araraquara, but at the beginning of the month we expanded our presence in Paraná and Rio de Janeiro,” celebrates Abhi Shah, Vice President of Revenue at Azul.
The airline launched a once-weekly ATR72-600 service from São Paulo Viracopos to Guarapuava in the south of Paraná state in Brazil on December 7. Two days later it commenced a 5x weekly ATR72-600 operation from Rio de Janeiro International to Macaé located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. On December 17, flight AD4394 connected Viracopos with Araraquara, a 90-nautical mile (168-kilometre) sector, again with its 70-seat ATRs, but on a 4x weekly basis.
Throughout 2019, Azul also linked other new points to its network including Toledo, PR and Pato Branco, Paraná, and Aracati, Ceará - and it remains the only serving scheduled carrier at all three of these airports. In addition, it began flights to Porto, the company's second European destination, after Lisbon. “We strongly believe in the economic potential of the interior of Brazil, be it corporate or tourist. We are excited about the upcoming infrastructure investments that will enable us to expand our network and connectivity,” adds Shah.
In 2020, Azul will continue to grow its network at the same pace and intends to open 10 new destinations. The carrier's plans are to develop regional aviation and further expand its presence in the interior of Brazil, bringing commercial aviation to over 30 new cities in the country over the next few years.
