** Shares in Brazilian airline Azul AZUL4.SA rise after slightly higher-than-expected Q4 core earnings

** Azul reported EBITDA of 1.95 billion reais ($340.44 million) for the period, up 33% year-on-year, while analysts polled by LSEG expected 1.91 billion reais

** CEO John Rodgerson says Azul is well positioned to focus more on its operations this year after a challenging 2024, which included a major debt restructuring

** XP Investimentos analysts say the carrier reported positive operational results, continue to see a strong demand environment on both domestic and international routes

** Azul's shares rise more than 6%, making it the biggest gainer on Brazil's Bovespa stock index .BVSP, which is flat

** Year-to-date, Azul is up roughly 8.5%

($1 = 5.7278 reais)

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo)

((Gabriel.Araujo2@thomsonreuters.com; +55 11 5047-3352;))