By Gabriel Araujo
BARUERI, Brazil (Reuters) -Brazilian airline Azul said on Friday it had bought seven Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft to significantly expand international flights, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026.
Azul, which currently flies to Paris, Lisbon, Curacao, a number of Uruguayan cities and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, said the fleet renewal effort would help it cut operating costs, including by burning less fuel.
"We expect to have a large expansion in international flights with this purchase," CEO John Rodgerson said at an event celebrating the 15-year anniversary of Azul's first flight.
"The idea is to have more Brazilian cities connected to cities outside the country," he added.
Airbus said in a separate statement that the new firm order was for four aircraft. Azul said the three other orders were already on the European planemaker's backlog, bringing to seven the total number of aircraft to be delivered.
Azul did not detail how much it would pay for the new aircraft, but Rodgerson noted that the A330neo's list price currently stands at around $250 million.
All of Azul's international routes were currently profitable and doing "pretty well", he added.
The airline will decide on financing for the newly ordered aircraft "at the right time," Azul Chief Financial Officer Alex Malfitani said.
The airline expects to receive 19 new aircraft next year as part of its fleet renewal efforts, many of which are E2 jets manufactured by Brazil's Embraer, Rodgerson added.