Innovation
Azul signs FHS Components and flight training contract with Airbus for A320neo fleet
Summary
- Airbus training and maintenance services to support airline’s growing A320 Family for next 12 years
This FHS contract also represents the first in Latin America with a New Pool in Brazil. To continuously ensure the highest level of operational performance, Airbus will open its 5th brand new pool in Viracopos International Airport, Campinas that will be used to serve customers in the region in order to deliver an unmatched service level.
Furthermore, Azul has chosen “Training By Airbus” to provide A320 Family flight simulator training and courses in Azul’s Training Center (Azul’s University - UniAzul), the largest training center in Latin America, near Viracopos International Airport in Campinas, São Paulo. Azul’s 12-year “Training by Airbus” agreement includes more than 70,000 flight training hours and the installation of one full-flight A320 simulator in UniAzul to train Azul pilots and maintenance crews starting October. Under such partnership, UniAzul will be the first Airbus “Approved Training Organisation” (ATO) in all of South America.
The new ATO will implement Airbus ATO/EASA processes and tools, allowing Azul to provide training certified by Airbus. Azul currently operates five A330-200s and has ordered 35 A320neo Family aircraft. Azul has also committed to operate 28 A320neo Family and three A350 XWB aircraft as part of leasing agreements.
Antonoaldo NEVES, President of Azul, said: “By partnering with Airbus both to train our pilots locally and receive tailored cost-effective FHS Components support services, Azul will be able to optimize its operating costs, permitting us to pass the savings on to our customers while ensuring the highest operational performance of our aircraft.”
Didier LUX Head of Airbus Customer Services, said: “Airbus is proud that Azul has placed its trust in the quality of our training services as well as our technical and competitive support services to meet the airline’s needs when their A320neo fleet enter into service later this year.”
“Training by Airbus” ensures a smooth aircraft entry into service and provides customers with support and services throughout the operational life of their Airbus fleet. It also provides courses locally to its customers thanks to mobile solutions and e-Learning features.
Airbus has been providing training to the region primarily from its Miami-based training centre, but with the latest Airbus global market forecast showing regional requirements in Latin America to more than double (to over 2,500 new passenger and freighter aircraft) in the next 20 years, the Azul training agreement will help meet long term growth in expanding markets like Brazil. In Latin America, Airbus has established training centres in Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico.
With this latest agreement with Azul, Airbus FHS contracts have now been selected to cover more than 310 aircraft, ranging from the A320, A330, A380 to the A350 XWB.
Airbus, through "Services by Airbus", offers end-to-end fleet lifecycle solutions for all its customers. The portfolio ranges from standalone services, to the most complete integrated solutions, including Flight Hour & Tailored Support packages, upgrades, training, e-solutions, engineering & maintenance, flight operations Air Traffic Management, and material management services. Together these enhance aircraft competitiveness by continuously adapting to customers' evolving needs. With more than 40 years of experience in the aircraft industry and a worldwide network of more than 2,500 professionals, customers benefit from the unique expertise and capabilities from Airbus and its affiliated family companies.
With nearly 1,000 aircraft sold and a backlog of more than 400, over 600 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 1990, Airbus has secured over 60 percent of net orders in the region and in the past 10 years alone, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet.
Airbus, a division of Airbus Group, is the global leading commercial aircraft manufacturer with the most modern, comprehensive and efficient family of airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus has sold over 16,500 aircraft to around 400 customers and, in addition, provides the highest standard of customer support and training through an expanding international network. Airbus employs some 55,000 people and in 2015 generated revenues of 45.9 billion Euros/$51.4 billion (U.S.).