Azul Not Planning Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Azul is not planning on filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Brazilian airline’s CEO told Reuters, contradicting reports which caused the carrier’s shares to nosedive on Thursday.

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Azul was considering options ranging from an equity offering to filing for Chapter 11 in the United States to address its debt obligations.

The report was “misinterpreted,” the company responded in a filing, as its Brazil-listed shares sank 24%.

CEO John Rodgerson stated in an interview that Azul was financially healthy and engaged in “friendly negotiations” with its partners, including aircraft lessors, due to the depreciation of Brazil’s real.

The real has weakened around 14% against the U.S. dollar so far this year.

Several Latin American airlines have undergone Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings following the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of travel, including Aeromexico, LATAM Airlines, and most recently Azul’s direct competitor in Brazil, Gol.

On Thursday, Azul announced it was in “active talks” with stakeholders as part of a previously announced plan to overhaul its equity structure.

It mentioned that options included using its cargo business as collateral for up to $800 million, which had already been established.

Azul could also leverage credit links from the national development bank, it said.

After the filing, Azul’s shares briefly reduced their losses to about 18% but closed Thursday down 24%. They are now down nearly 70% so far this year.