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SAO PAULO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian airline Azul AZUL4.SA said on Tuesday it has finalized a debt restructuring process regarding financial obligations with bondholders, suppliers and plane lessors, according to a securities filing.
Azul said the process included the termination of almost $1.6 billion in debt from its balance sheet, while it also raised $525 million in fresh money.
The firm said that, with the conclusion of the talks, its financial leverage measured by a net debt to EBITDA ratio falls to 3.4 times from 4.8 times.
Azul, which this month signed an agreement to explore talks for a merger with rival Gol GOLL4.SA, said the restructuring measures reduced its interest payments expected for this year by almost 1 billion reais ($170.7 million).
"We are very optimistic regarding Azul's future," Chief Executive John Rodgerson said in a press statement, adding the airline expects to receive 15 new Embraer's EMBR3.SA E2 jets during the year.
($1 = 5.8571 reais)
(Reporting by Andre Romani; additional reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez)
((Andre.Romani@thomsonreuters.com; 11 991314109;11 56447500;))
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