(Image: Facebook/Azul Brazilian Airlines)
The CEO of Azul (AZUL4), John Rodgerson, spoke to journalists this Monday (23), after participating in an event organized by the company and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), addressing the price of aviation kerosene, daylight saving time, credit for resources do Fundo National Civil Aviation Agency (Fnac) and the debt of the Portuguese TAP.
According to him, Fnac's credit will not be used to pay debts acquired during the pandemic, but rather for investments, such as the purchase of aircraft.
The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned on Wednesday (18), the new General Tourism Law, which allows the use of resources do Fundo to finance airlines operating regular flights in the country.
“We were one of the only industries that didn’t have a line of credit with the government. And now we do. This allows us to buy more aircraft,” said Rodgerson. “FNAC is not to pay off debts from the pandemic, it is to help us grow and put more aircraft in the air,” he added.
Regarding aviation kerosene (QAV), the company's CEO commented that he expects a reduction in the price next month, highlighting that commercial air transport fuel has fallen by 20% in the last three months.
However, he told reporters that the impact on fares should take 30 to 45 days. “We have suffered for many years with high prices. So, with the price of fuel falling by 20%, we are very excited,” he said.
The company's shares, which fell 7% in the half hour of trading, turned upward in the afternoon, rising 2.66%, to R$5.40, at around 4:20 pm.
Azul CEO comments on daylight saving time and TAP
Azul's CEO acknowledged that the possible return of daylight saving time would have an impact on flight schedule planning. According to the executive, it would take at least 45 days to reschedule.
“We would have to adjust our systems. That’s the biggest impact, adjusting all flights. If we do that, I hope we have some time to implement it,” he said.
Rodgerson spoke about the collection of a debt of approximately R$1 billion from the TAP company. According to him, the debt cannot be converted into a share acquisition.
“We invested in TAP in 2016 to help capitalize the company. So, it is an old debt that is already recognized. TAP is thinking about being sold again, so with this sale, they have to pay it back,” he said.
*With Estadão Content