Brazilian carrier Azul intends to remove another 12 Embraer 195s from its operation by the end of next year, bringing to 22 the number of E195s exiting its fleet. The removal of the 22 aircraft represents a 40% reduction of its E195 fleet compared with 2019 and "a significant acceleration in its fleet transformation plan", Azul states. Data shows that Azul's Embraer fleet currently comprises 50 E195s and eight E195-E2s in service plus two E190s and one E195-E2 in storage. It has 59 E195-E2s on order. The carrier's E195s have an average age of 9.9 years. The just-disclosed exit of the 12 E195s is related to a recently negotiated sale of five aircraft to lessor Azorra Aviation, plus leases ending for four aircraft, the conversion of three aircraft to Class F freighters, and debt reduction, Azul says. "This announcement demonstrates our ability to accelerate the phaseout of previous-generation Embraer E1s," states Azul finance chief Alex Malfitani. "The exit of the E1s gives us the opportunity to advance the delivery of next-generation E2, further expanding our margins given the E2’s 26% lower seat cost compared to the E1." Separately, Azul disclosed on 16 September that it had taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 and planned to add two more A350s to its fleet by year-end. Chief executive John Rodgerson states that the A350s are intended to replace Azul's A330ceos. Schedules data for Azul gives a placeholder date of 15 October for the start of leases on four A350s owned and managed by AerCap. Azul has eight A330ceos in its fleet, with an average age of 18.9 years, fleets data shows.

Icelandair and Air Greenland have signed a deal to bolster strategic cooperation between the two carriers, including through an integration of their networks. The cooperation will benefit both companies' customers and increase connectivity in their markets to, from, via and within Greenland and Iceland," says Icelandair. The carrier has integrated its regional operations with its international network by moving its services to Greenland from Reykjavik airport to the larger Keflavik International airport. "We will benefit from Air Greenland's local knowledge and investment in infrastructure in Greenland and Air Greenland will benefit from our comprehensive sales and distribution network in Europe and North America," chief executive Bogi Nils Bogason states. Air Greenland's chief executive Jacob Nitter Sorensen says: "Increased cooperation will mean that our customers will be able to buy a trip via our website, which will also feature Icelandair's extensive route network. Icelandair's customers will be able to do the same, making it easier to get a coherent itinerary to and from Greenland."

Brazilian carrier Azul has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft. The aircraft, equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan engines, arrived at Confins International airport after completing last maintenance checks at Tarbes in France, the airline says. With capacity for up to 334 customers, the A350 is part of the carrier's fleet modernization plan and will replace its A330ceos, which currently fly on long-haul routes, chief executive John Rodgerson says. The two Trent XWB engines "guarantee 20% less fuel consumption per seat, resulting in much lower CO2 emissions per seat compared to the A330ceo, reinforcing Azul's commitment to sustainability and to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045," he adds. Azul expects to complete the certification process of the aircraft with the Brazilian regulatory agencies in the coming weeks. It also plans to add two new A350s to its fleet by the end of the year.