SAO PAULO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Brazilian airline Azul ( AZUL )

reduced its estimate for 2024 core earnings on Monday

while bumping up its leverage forecast in the face of slower

than previously expected capacity growth and weakness of

Brazil's currency.

Azul ( AZUL ) now expects earnings before interest, tax, depreciation

and amortization (EBITDA) to be "more than 6 billion reais"

($1.1 billion)" this year, it said in a securities filing, down

from a previous projection of about 6.5 billion.

Its leverage ratio was forecast to end 2024 at 4.2, above

the 3.0 estimated previously.

The carrier, Brazil's second-largest by market share, said

the reduced capacity growth reflects the impact of recent floods

in southern Brazil, which affected operations in the region, and

delayed aircraft deliveries.

Azul's ( AZUL ) 2024 available seat per kilometre (ASK), an important

capacity metric in the industry, is now slated to grow 7% from

the previous year, the company said, down from the previously

expected 11%.

($1 = 5.5064 reais)