GECAS to repossess 8 Avianca Brazil aircraft

GECAS will repossess 8 aircraft leased to financially troubled Avianca Brazil, as the fleet-depleted airline cancels hundreds of flights during this week's Easter travel season. The lessor will repossess the aircraft beginning April 22, immediately after the Easter holiday to minimise further travel disruptions for passengers, says Brazil's aviation regulator ANAC. With the GECAS repossession imminent, Avianca Brazil's in-service fleet is slated to shrink to around 22 aircraft next week – or less than half of the 50-over aircraft it operated late last year. The airline has already cancelled more than 300 flights in Brazil from April 17 to April 22, blaming the fleet reduction. The cancellations – to hit during the busy Easter travel peak – are likely to cause widespread disruption. <br/>