LE BOURGET -- Azul added 43 CF34-10E engines to its existing 15-year OnPointSM solution services agreement with GE Aviation covering the maintenance, repair and overhaul of 190 CF34 engines powering its EMBRAER E190 aircraft.
"With Azul's growing fleet due to the merger with Trip is very important to keep our maintenance standards," said David Neeleman, founder and CEO of Azul Brazilian Airlines.
"GE Aviation is proud to support the growth of one of Brazil's top airlines with customized maintenance solutions that optimize performance and lower cost of ownership," said Paul McElhinney, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation Services. "With this expanded services agreement, GE Aviation will handle the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Azul's entire engine fleet, including the Trip fleet of 20 E-jet aircraft."
OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet. These agreements are designed to help lower the customers' cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets. Backed by GE's global support network, OnPoint services may include overhaul, on wing support, new and used-serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, integrated systems support and diagnostics and integrated systems.
About Azul
Azul Trip SA, parent company of the Azul Group, and Trip Linhas Aereas SA announced an investment agreement in May 2012 in order to create the third largest airline in the country. The transaction was already approved by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority and by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade). This combination will result in one of the most competitive airlines in the country, totaling 118 operating aircraft, about 865 daily flights, more than 100 destinations served and 16.7% share in terms of RPKs. The quality of both companies has already been demonstrated by numerous awards received domestically and internationally. Azul and Trip were elected by the Skytrax World Airline Awards the "Best low-cost airline in Latin America" and "Best Regional Airline in South America", respectively, in 2012 and 2011. Azul was voted in 2012 the "Best Low Cost Airline in the World" by CAPA - Centre for Aviation and consecrated the second consecutive year as the "Best Airline in Brazil" by the publication Viagem e Turismo, a Brazilian travel magazine. Learn more at www.voeazul.com.br.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet, turboshaft and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.