BRAZIL: Azul Brazilian Airlines Renews Fleet

Azul Brazilian Airlines continued its fleet renewal last week when it received its first Airbus A321neo, the first of an order of 13. The aircraft, with a capacity for 214 passengers in a single-class configuration, is Azul’s largest narrow body and second A320neo family aircraft.

More than just being the delivery of a new airplane, though, the arrival of Azul’s first A321neo represents a landmark of a process the airline has been undertaking since 2016: the development of its ambitious fleet plan.

From its first flight in 2008, the airline relied solely on the Embraer 190 and 195 to position itself in the Brazilian market until 2011 when the ATR 72 came into play.

Benefitting from the then-empty Campinas/Viracopos Airport as a hub, Azul quickly grew as Brazil’s third-largest carrier in terms of traffic.

Little by little, however, the Embraer fleet started showing its shortcomings. Although having a smaller capacity than the Airbus and Boeing aircraft that its competitors operated, the aircraft lacked efficiency.

This was even more evident on larger flights. Brazil is vast, and Azul found it very difficult to operate longer flights with the Embraer in an efficient way.

That’s why in November 2014, with Brazil on the edge of an abyss that would show the biggest recession in the country since 1929, Azul made a big gamble, ordering 63 Airbus A320neos. The first one arrived in October 2016, starting operations that following December.

The A320neo quickly proved to be much more efficient than the E195. Even though the overall cost per trip of the Airbus is around five percent more than the cost of the Embraer, the cost per seat of the European aircraft is 29 percent lower since the A320 has 56 seats more than the E195, 174 against 118, the cost per seat of the European aircraft is 29 percent lower.

This allows Azul to increase its margins in markets that, during recent years, were matured by the Embraers, at the same time reducing the relative cost.

Abhi Shah, Azul’s Chief Revenue Officer, stated on a conference call, We could not have started Azul with large narrow bodies 10 years ago.

But now we have built a network that has enough feed and enough traffic that can fill Neos and so we are going to get the double benefit of improved fuel burn of the A320neo and more economies of scale.

This can be seen by the current routes served by Azul’s A320neos. The aircraft mostly connects high-density routes from Azul’s strongest markets to major Brazilian cities, as well as connects the carrier’s hubs — Viracopos, Confins and Recife — plus focus cities — Belem, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Goiania and Porto Alegre — to each other.

Apart from these, a big chunk of the routes connects the airline’s hubs — Viracopos/Campinas and Belo Horizonte/Confins — to cities in the north and northeastern regions of Brazil.

Before the Airbus, the airline could not connect these cities with as much efficiency as its competitors. The better unit cost brought by the performance of the A320neo on longer jaunts allow the airline to push further its capacity within these sectors.

The hub-and-spoke system is an important aspect of Azul’s network, so once these routes are connected with a stronger revenue and lower unit costs, all the other flights benefit from that in a kind of a chain reaction.

On the investors call for the third quarter of 2018, Abhi Shah stated that the A320 is driving great connectivity throughout our network and that is helping the smaller routes, the E-Jet routes, the ATR routes.

Another important aspect of Azul’s new fleet seat cost efficiency is that it makes the airline able to be in a good position when competing directly against LATAM and GOL, with the best example of in Guarulhos.

Before the introduction of the A320neo, Azul had a very small presence at Brazil’s largest airport. From August 2016 to August 2019, the revenue passenger kilometers (RPK ) grew from 131.1 million to 426.7 million, an increase of 225.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the domestic RPKs of Azul’s network increased 61.7 percent from 3Q 2016 to 4Q 2019. This means Azul grew four times more in Guarulhos than it has grown in the whole domestic market during the same period.

Azul’s CEO, John Rodgerson, previously stated that it is important to note that we have put some A320s in the Guarulhos airport because we have the most fuel-efficient aircraft in Latin America today, and with the lowest unit cost and lowest trip cost and its range.

So obviously in a more competitive market you are going to put your best-performing asset.

BRAZIL: Visit Macapa Capital Of Amapa State

Macapa is the capital of Amapa, and surely the most deserted state capital of Brazil. As it sits north of the immensely wide mouth of the Amazon river, there are no highways leading out. Unless you count the road into French Guyana, that is.

Macapa is a city in Brazil, population 397,913 (2010 census). It is the capital of Amapa state in the country's North Region. It is located on the northern channel of the Amazon River near its mouth on the Atlantic Ocean.

The city is on a small plateau on the Amazon in the southeast of the state of Amapa. The only access by road from outside the province is from French Guiana, although there are regular ferries to Belem, Brazil.

Macapa is linked by road with some other cities in Amapa. The equator runs through the middle of the city, leading residents to refer to Macapa as - The capital of the middle of the world.

It covers 6,407.12 square kilometres (2,473.80 sq mi) and is located northwest of the large inland island of Marajó and south of the border with French Guiana.

Macapa gained international notoriety in December 2001 when international yachtsman Peter Blake, from New Zealand, was murdered while anchored on his explorer yacht Seamaster in Macapa port.

According to Business Insider, Macapa is the 45th most violent city in the world, with 32.06 homicides per 100,000 people.

Macapa has a few roads to other cities in Brazil and is mainly connected to the rest of the country by air and sea. Macapa is located 345 kilometres (214 mi) from Belem, but the cities are separated by the large inland island of Marajo and have no direct highway connections

The city is accessible only by boat or airplane. Macapa is connected to French Guiana by the Brazilian federal highway BR-156, which runs north of the city through the Amazonian jungle.

The city is connected with the rest of the North Region via the following highways: the AP-010, linking Macapa to Santana to the southwest; the AP-030, linking to the city of Mazagao; the BR-156, linking to the south of Amapa and Laranjal do Jari; and the Ap-330, linking to the northern town of Oiapoque.

The Oyapoque River Bridge has been open to traffic since 20 March 2017, linking Brazil and French Guiana by road for the first time.

Macapa International Airport or Aeroporto Internacional de Macapa – Alberto Alcolumbre is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the city center and serves as a vital link between Macapa and other cities in Brazil.

Commercial flights connect the Macapa to Belem, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo. The airport traces its history to a small air base built by the United States during World War II to secure strategic bases in the South Atlantic region

Macapa is an economic center of northern Brazil and serves as a commercial hub of the state of Amapa. Gold, iron, lumber, manganese, oil, timber, and tin ore from the interior of the state pass through Amapa on to Port Santana in the neighboring municipality of Santana.

It is the fifth wealthiest city in northern Brazil, with a GDP of R$2,826,458,000 (2005). The city has a notably high rate of economic growth and a per capita income of R$7,950 (2005).

The fortress of St. Joseph is a Vauban-style star fort built between 1764 and 1782 to replace two previous fortifications located in the city. It was built to safeguard the northern extremity of Brazil and to control the estuary of the Amazon. It is one of the main sights of the city of Macapa.

The Marco Zero monument was built to mark the position of the equator in the city and to show the passage of the sun. At the spring and the autumn equinox the sun rises and sets on the line of the equator and shines on the monument along the Avenue Equatorial, which runs for a mile due east of it.

The Estadio Milton Correa, usually known as the Zerao or Big Zero, from its position on the equator, is a multi-purpose stadium located in central Macapa on the R. Ilvaldo Alves Veras east of the university (UNIFAP).

The stadium has a maximum capacity of 10,000 people and was built in 1990. It is used mostly for football matches and hosts the home matches of several local teams.

The municipality contains the 111 hectares (270 acres) Parazinho Biological Reserve, created in 1985 to protect an island in the Amazon river.

It contains the 21,676 hectares (53,560 acres) Rio Curiau Environmental Protection Area, create in 1992 to protect an area near the urban center from city sprawl, and to protect the culture of the traditional inhabitants.

It contains the 137 hectares (340 acres) Fazendinha Environmental Protection Area, created in 2004.

The Macapa region includes large tracts of tropical rainforest and experiences relatively high rainfall. Macapa features a tropical monsoon climate (Am) under the Koppen climate classification, with a lengthy wet season from December through August, and a relatively short dry season that covers the remaining three months.

However, a noticeable amount of rain is observed even during the dry season, a trait common to a number of other areas with this climate. Average temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year, hovering around 23 °C (73 °F) in the mornings and 31 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon.

Most flights connect in Belem. A taxi from the centre can be negotiated at R$ 15.

Boats from nearby Santana can take you to Belem(24 hours), Santarem (40 hours, hammock R$ 125, cabin R$ 250) and Manaus(5 days), among other smaller destinations.

There are buses to Oiapoque on the border of French Guyana. Travel time varies greatly with the rains though is approximately 11 hours in the dry season. 3 departures per day.

Apart from buses, mototaxis are the cheapest means to transport. A mototaxi from the bus station to the centre costs approximately 7 - 10 BRL (c. 15 BRL in a taxi). From the centre to the Monument to the Equator a taxi should cost approximately 5 BRL.

Marco Zero is right south of the city. Where the equator comes through, and even crosses a football stadium! edit There is a museum below the monument which has a short video available in English and Portuguese.

Fortaleza de Macapa. There are free guided tours available of the fort throughout the day and speak Portuguese only.

Museu Sacaca, Av. Feliciano Coelho, 1509 - Trem, Macapa - AP, 68901-025. A remarkable museum. A lot of Amerindian artifacts, Amazonian trees and a small boat.

There are a number of small beaches around the city, particularly popular on Sundays. The easiest to access is Fazendinha, with direct buses from the centre.

Manganese artifacts. Local produced artifacts are sold.

The local cuisine is very diversified and very Amazonian. There are lot of local fishes and fruits. Try filahote and pirarucu fishes; pato ao tucupi or duck in a manioc sauce; jambu meaning your tongue will be numb.

Fruits like tapereba, murici, cupuaçu, bacuri and graviola. Near the fort, in the town center, there are lot of small stalls, serving regional fare, and great ice cream parlors, one near the wharf, other almost directly across the street from the Fort.

Sorveteria Santa Clara, R. Leopoldo Machado com Pedro Baiao, Macapa - AP. Arguably one of the best ice cream parlors in a city that craves for ice cream. Try one of the local delicacies, like cupuaçu, bacuri or murici (Amazonian fruits); banhoff, paraense and tapioca are favorites too.

Peixaria Amazonas, Rua Beira Rio, 218 - Santa Ines, Macapa - AP, 68901-470. Great Amapaense food. One of the best views in town.

Rod's Bar, Complexo Turistico do Araxa - Rua Beira Rio, 450 - Santa Ines, Macapa - AP, 68901-470. Great food, great view. It's close to Amazon river and you get all the breeze

Restaurante Dona Flor, road between Macapa and Santana. Very good. Right on the river. As you eat you can see the river and the people that live there.

Tsu, Av. Padre Julio Maria Lombaerd, 1339 - Central, Macapá - AP, 68900-030. Japanese restaurant.

Peixaria do Jairo, Rua Rio Gorijuba, 9 - Santa Ines, Macapa - AP, 68901-370. Great food, Try anything with filhote and shrimp.

Armazem, situated 15 blocks west of the center. Lively Sunday evenings until the wee hours.

Most mid-scale hotels give a straight 20-30% discount on posted prices.

- Hotel do Forte.

- Hotel Mais.

- Atalanta Hotel.

Perhaps the only internet option on Sundays is inside the Mara Hotel at Rua Sao Jose just off the corner of Rua. Internet now is widespread with SIM Cards and almost all hotels have a computer in the lobby.

Other Attractions

Mazagao - Close city, picturesque views.

Oiapoque- gateway to French Guiana. Access by road, about 120 km without asphalt.

Calçoene- It contains the Brazilian Stonehenge.

Afua - located in Marajo Island in Para state, it has easy access by boat from Macapa. It's known as Marajo Venice, as it's not allowed any car over the wood platforms in this small but picturesque city.


Tourism Observer

SURINAME: GOL Sixth Carrier To Fly From Suriname

On 25 August, GOL became the latest carrier to fly to Suriname when it launched a new twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Saturdays) service to the capital Paramaribo from Belem, a route which recently won the anna.aero ‘Arch of Triumph’ competition. The addition of GOL to the Suriname country market has not helped seat capacity grow, with overall capacity down 1.3% for S15 when compared with last summer.

With a population of 560,000, most of which live on the country’s north coast, and a geographical area of just under 165,000 square kilometres, Suriname is the smallest country in South America. The country is only served by one commercial airport which is located in the capital, Paramaribo, however research by anna.aero shows that in total the country has 15 airfields with IATA codes, most of which are served with small regional services from the capital. However it is worth noting that the airlines that operate these services are not included in the country analysis due to them not being published in OAG Schedules, with some of them, such as Blue Wing Airlines, seeing a varying schedule from week to week according to the airline’s website.

Netherlands remains #1 market
After seeing a seat capacity increase of 5.2% when compared with the same time period of S14, the Netherlands remains the number one country market from Suriname, which is of no surprise due to the strong historical link between the two nations. On a side note, Suriname is the only country in South America with Dutch being the number one language spoken. The 7,519-kilometre sector between Paramaribo and Amsterdam is served by KLM and Suriname Airways, with Amsterdam being the only long-haul route served by latter, which is flown using the carrier’s sole A340-300.

Suriname Airways way ahead of the rest
Although national carrier Suriname Airways is only reporting a seat capacity increase of 0.9%, it remains number one out of Suriname. The nation’s second biggest airline KLM, which is up 1.0% when compared to the same time period of last year, occupies 21% of overall seat capacity, a result that is dwarfed by Suriname Airways which controls 49%. Of the remaining four carriers, Caribbean Airlines is down -10%, InselAir is showing a decrease in seat capacity of -52% and sister carrier InselAir Aruba also reporting a decline of -22%. GOL (highlighted in light green) is new to Suriname in S15, after launching services to Paramaribo from Belem on 25 August.

The latest airline to join the Suriname network, Fly All Ways. Muller suggested that the airline is hoping to commence services from Paramaribo to Georgetown in Guyana and Barbados in the not too distant future.