Azul Brazilian Airlines will restructure with the help of American and United.
Brazil’s biggest airline by number of flights and destinations, Azul, announced Wednesday it had filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States to try restructure debt arising from the pandemic and from supply chain issues.
Azul said that it would continue flying “as normal” through the Chapter 11 process, which gives companies protection from creditors while they reorganize their finances under judicial supervision.
The carrier will continue operations as it navigates the bankruptcy process, Azul officials said.
“Azul continues to fly – today, tomorrow, and into the future,” said CEO John Rodgerson. “These agreements mark a significant step forward in the transformation of our business – one that enables us to emerge as an industry leader in the main aspects of our business.”
Azul took on substantial debt during and following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as demand for air travel slumped. Its debt burden surged by 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period one year prior.
