LatinNews Daily - 23 February 2026

*Brazilian airline Azul has concluded its financial restructuring process launched in May last year when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US. The company stated that it had reduced its loans and financing debt by US$1.1bn, reduced its aircraft lease debt by nearly 40%, and reduced annual interest payments by over 50% compared to the levels before it began bankruptcy proceedings. As part of the restructuring process, Azul raised US$1.38bn through the issuance of senior notes and US$950m through equity commitments. With Azul formally concluding its Chapter 11 proceedings, all three major airlines that dominate Brazil’s domestic aviation sector have now emerged from bankruptcy following the financial struggles they faced during and after the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The Chile-based airline Latam concluded its Chapter 11 proceedings in 2022, while Brazilian airline Gol exited bankruptcy last year.