Azul TecOps, an entity within Azul established in April 2023, has received certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to deliver aircraft and component maintenance services to companies within the European Union. This certification enables Azul TecOps to provide maintenance services, skills, and technical expertise to European Union-based companies.
The authorization, which is valid for a duration of 2 years and can be extended, was granted under the bilateral agreement established between the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) and EASA. The purpose of this agreement is to streamline the process for approving maintenance organizations by eliminating duplicate certification and surveillance requirements.
Flávio Costa, Azul’s Technical Vice President, stated that the certification process involved multiple aspects. These included creating a manual that complied with both Brazilian regulatory procedures and EASA’s specific requirements. Additionally, Azul conducted extensive training for over 750 crew members across technical, support, and administrative departments. Costa emphasized the importance of internal audits, which thoroughly validated all procedures. Throughout several months, Azul undertook various preparations, analyses, demonstrations, and training sessions.
Azul TecOps, leveraging over 15 years of operational knowledge and technical expertise, is expanding its services internationally. Previously available exclusively to Brazilian operators, these services can now be extended to the entire European Union. This expansion not only opens doors to new customers but also presents significant revenue opportunities. Flávio Costa emphasizes that the EASA approval serves as a testament to the exceptional quality and excellence of Azul TecOps’ services.
Located adjacent to Viracopos airport in Campinas, Azul’s primary hangar is the largest of its kind in Latin America, spanning an impressive 35,000 square meters. Having operated for nearly four years, the hangar boasts a remarkable capacity to accommodate three lines dedicated to heavy maintenance, one line for modifications, and two lines for special stops, catering to all models within the Azul fleet. The complex not only serves as a maintenance hub, but also houses numerous workshops, including those for wheels and brakes, engines, structures, batteries, oxygen, and emergency equipment. Various specialized services, such as engine borescopy, aircraft weighing, NDT, CVR and DFDR data reading, placard manufacturing, and decaling, are also performed on-site.
Azul’s maintenance facilities in Belo Horizonte, specifically at Pampulha airport, are also included in the EASA approval. These facilities consist of multiple hangars for aircraft maintenance and various workshops. The occupied area for servicing ATR, Embraer 195 E1, Boeing, and Pilatus fleets spans over 14,000 square meters. There are a total of five lines dedicated to heavy maintenance, special stops, and preservation.