Azul has committed to 63 Airbus A320neo aircraft, citing comfort and lower operating costs over the competing Boeing 737 Max for its decision.
The Brazilian carrier will buy 35 aircraft directly from the European airframer, lease 20 from AerCap and another eight from GECAS, it says. Delivers will begin in 2016 and continue through 2023.
“Azul will soon offer even more seats on our longer haul flights, allowing us to reduce operating costs," says David Neeleman, founder and chief executive of Azul, in a statement. "In addition to its market leading economics, which will allow Azul to stimulate new demand, the A320neo is also a perfect complement to our E-Jet fleet, giving us additional seats and capacity.”
The aircraft will be configured with 174 economy seats, which is larger than its fleet of ATR 72-600s, Embraer 190s with 106 seats and Embraer 195s with 118 seats.
Azul has selected CFM International LEAP-1A engines for its A320neos.
