Azul will have a flight-sharing agreement with American Airlines and dismisses merger with Gol
CEO John Rodgerson announces that Azul will enter a codeshare agreement with American Airlines as part of its recovery process, while ruling out a potential merger with Gol.
Azul's CEO, John Rodgerson, announced that the airline will establish a codeshare agreement with American Airlines, which will invest $100 million in the Brazilian airline. This investment is part of Azul's efforts to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a legal procedure aimed at reorganizing its debts. The codeshare agreement allows airlines to expand their routes and offer connections that would otherwise only be available through their partner, enhancing flight options for consumers.
On the recovery front, Azul successfully completed its Chapter 11 process, which began in May 2025. This restructuring was crucial for Azul to manage its financial obligations, and with the backing from American Airlines and an additional $100 million from United Airlines, the airline is positioning itself for future growth. This financial support is expected to bolster its operations as it continues to optimize its route network.
Furthermore, Rodgerson made it clear that discussions regarding a merger with Gol have been dismissed. He emphasized that merging could have been a potential exit strategy due to overwhelming debt; however, with the completion of the Chapter 11 process, Azul is confident in standing alone without needing to pursue a merger for survival. This decision reflects a more robust financial outlook for Azul as it returns to normal operations following its restructuring phase.