Latest Merger To Create Third Largest Airline in Brazil
An Azul-Trip merger would create Brazil's third largest airline.
Common fleets of ATR 72-600s could significantly ease the integration of Azul and Trip.  (Photo: ATR)
Common fleets of ATR 72-600s could significantly ease the integration of Azul and Trip. (Photo: ATR)

An ostensible change of heart on the part of the chairman of Campinas, Brazil-based low-fare regional airline Azul will allow for the creation of the country’s third largest carrier, pending antitrust authorities’ approval of a plan to merge Azul and fellow Brazilian regional airline Trip. The May 28 announcement came only weeks after Azul chairman David Neeleman dismissed any need for his airline to join Brazil’s wave of integration, according to a report from the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). The airlines have created a new parent company, named Azul Trip SA, to oversee their integration under the chairmanship of Neeleman. Trip CEO Jose Mario Caprioli will preside over a special integration committee created to decide on details of the transition.