NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the world’s best-funded start-up airline, with $200 million in capital, Azul had already broken a world aviation record as it took its first flight a year ago, on December 15, 2008, between Salvador and Campinas, near São Paulo. A year later, Azul enjoys the highest load factor in Brazil and is the first airline in the world to board more than two million customers in its first year.
Now with 14 aircraft serving 16 cities on 19 routes, Azul operated 23,310 flights in its twelve months (Dec 15, 08 to Dec 15, 09). The airline has held the highest load factor in Brazil since March 2009, with an average load factor, or percentage of seats sold, above 85 percent. For 2009, Azul attained an average load factor of 79.71%.
Azul’s primary base of operations is Viracopos Airport in the city of Campinas, about 70 miles from São Paulo, a major population center which has been underserved by airlines. Azul already has more than 50 percent market share in its home market.
“In Brazil, people travel on average about once every four years,” stated David Neeleman, the company’s founder and Chairman of the Board. “Our success tells me that our customers are trying us, recommending us to their friends and families, and coming back to fly us again. We’re a word-of-mouth airline because customers are enjoying the experience.”
In 2010, Azul plans to receive seven additional Embraer E-190 family aircraft, increasing the airline’s fleet to 21 planes by year end. Azul currently employs 1,500 crewmembers. By 2013, the company expects to operate 80 aircraft with more than 5,000 employees.