New York, December 17, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today upgraded Azul S.A.'s
(Azul) Corporate Family Rating (CFR) to B3 from Caa1. At the same
time, Moody's upgraded to Caa1 from Caa2 the rating on the
USD400 million senior unsecured notes issued by Azul Investments LLP and
guaranteed by Azul and Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A.
The outlook was changed to stable from negative.
Upgrades:
..Issuer: Azul S.A.
.... Corporate Family Rating Upgraded to B3
from Caa1
..Issuer: Azul Investments LLP
....Gtd Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
Upgraded to Caa1 from Caa2
Outlook Actions:
..Issuer: Azul S.A.
....Outlook, Changed To Stable From
Negative
..Issuer: Azul Investments LLP
....Outlook, Changed To Stable From
Negative
RATINGS RATIONALE
The upgrade to B3 from Caa1 was prompted by the better passenger traffic
in Brazil versus our estimates at the beginning of the virus outbreak.
Azul's ability to reduce costs during the pandemic that resulted
in lower than expected cash burn and its proven access to the financial
markets through the recent issuance of BRL1.7 billion in convertible
debentures also support the upgrade. Our expectation that Azul
will succeed in taking advantage of the recovery in the market through
its unique position in most of its network while keeping liquidity at
adequate levels is also reflected in the upgrade to B3. Moody's
believes that there is strong potential for Azul to substantially improve
key credit metrics towards 2019 levels through 2023.
The B3 rating is constrained by the still fragile situation of the Airlines
industry combined with Azul's still weak credit metrics.
The rating incorporates the uncertainties ahead of the sector as a result
of the coronavirus pandemic that could lead to slower economic recovery
or another round of restrictions for travel and tourism reducing the speed
of the rebound in the industry. Despite the recovery observed so
far, the capital markets are still demanding stronger collaterals
packages and higher returns when offering new funding to airlines in general.
The ability to raise liquidity and control cash burn will still be a key
aspect in Azul's ratings assessment.
The adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy,
oil prices and asset prices have sustained a severe and extensive credit
shock across many sectors, regions and markets. The combined
credit effects of these developments are unprecedented. The passenger
airline industry is one of the sectors most significantly affected by
the shock given its exposure to travel restrictions and sensitivity of
consumer demand to sentiment. Moody's regards the coronavirus pandemic
as a social risk under its ESG framework, given the substantial
implications for public health and safety.
LIQUIDITY
Azul's liquidity is adequate. Moody's estimates that Azul
will end 2020 with around BRL2.5 billion in cash on hand,
considering the issuance of the new convertible debentures, which
compares with about BRL1.3 billion in financial debt maturing until
the end of 2022. The new BRL1.7 billion convertible debentures
were issued in October with 5-year maturity with the option for
additional BRL550 million under the same terms reducing the company's
short-term refinancing needs.
The company has around BRL3.0 billion in other potential liquidity
sources including, receivables, financeable deposits and unencumbered
assets that could be used in potential secured financing transactions.
The stable outlook reflects Moody's belief that Azul will succeed
in taking advantage of the recovery in the market through its unique position
in most of its network while keeping liquidity at adequate levels.
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS
Moody's could upgrade Azul if:
• risks and uncertainties are reduced significantly, and passenger
demand begins a sustainable recovery towards pre-coronavirus levels.
• Azul to maintain an adequate liquidity profile, with cash
consistently above 20% of revenues, and key metrics to improve
such as
• debt-to-EBITDA declines below 6x
• (funds from operations + interest)/ interest is sustained
above 3x.
Moody's could downgrade Azul if:
• pace of recovery of passenger demand is slower than Moody's expects
• liquidity concerns increase
• the company is unable to strengthen credit metrics through the
recovery phase
• there are increased expectations of a default in the company's
financial obligations
PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY
The principal methodology used in these ratings was Passenger Airline
Industry published in April 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1091811.
Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com
for a copy of this methodology.
COMPANY PROFILE
Headquartered in Barueri near the City of Sao Paulo, Brazil,
Azul S.A. (Azul) is a Brazilian airline founded by David
Neeleman in 2008. The company is the largest airline in Brazil
by number of cities and departures, serving 116 destinations with
an operating fleet of 142 aircraft and operating 916 flights daily.
The company also flies its aircraft to select international destinations,
including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Lisbon. Azul is the
sole owner of the loyalty program TudoAzul, a strategic revenue-generating
asset, which had around 12 million members in the end of 2019.
In 2019 Azul generated BRL11.4 billion in net revenue and carried
almost 28 million passengers.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and
sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and
Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's
Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
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At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s)
announced and described above.
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Marcos Schmidt
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's America Latina Ltda.
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Marianna Waltz, CFA
MD - Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance Group
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