Azul Linhas Aéreas first Airbus A350-900 has been spotted with the company livery in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after several years of back and forth with the model.
Azul had placed the order for its A350s in 2014 to start taking delivery in 2017, but this was then postponed. The Brazilian airline then focused on the five A330-900 ordered in 2017 to replace its older A330-200.
As our Brazilian media partner Aeroin reports, at the time the A350 were transferred to China-based Hainan Airlines, which was a shareholder in Azul and already had other orders for the model directly from the manufacturer.
Since then, much has changed. Hainan pulled out of Azul as it faced a financial crisis and, with the coronavirus pandemic, the Asian carrier saw its downfall, leading to A350 aircraft being taken out of operation.
Some A350 that operated for Hong Kong Airlines (of the Hainan group) are now coming to the Brazilian company.
The first painted
The Airbus A350 returned to Azul’s plans last year, with a view to a fleet modernization and capacity increase, as it will be the largest aircraft in the company’s history.
While the company is working with ANAC Brazil to include the model in its air operator’s certificate, the first two aircraft are being prepared on the other side of the world.
The first A350-900, dubbed “50 is also Blue”, is already ready in the maintenance workshops in Abu Dhabi, sporting the Brazilian company’s full livery.
According to information (to be confirmed), this aircraft has the manufacturing number (MSN) 168 (F-WTAO) and spent two years at Lourdes-Tarbes airport (France) and then, in June 2022, it will be taken to Abu Dhabi for painting. There is no public confirmation as to which registration will be used in Brazil.
The aircraft should arrive in Brazil in September, initially performing domestic certification flights to destinations such as Belém, Manaus, Recife and Fortaleza.
Initially, the company will take delivery of four Airbus A350 that are based in Lourdes-Tarbes, France, and have passed through Hong Kong Airlines and Hainan Airlines, which will gradually replace the A330-200.
The first international destination, according to Aeroin sources, should be Orlando (MCO), Florida, by the end of the year. However, the company also has flights to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Lisbon (LIS) with Airbus A330ceo/neo from Campinas/Viracopos (VCP).
