SAO PAULO — Avianca Brasil has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Brazil’s fourth-largest carrier cites soaring fuel costs, currency fluctuations and Brazil’s sluggish economy for its financial troubles.

Compounding its problems, reports indicate that three of the carrier’s lessors sued the ******* for almost a third of its Airbus fleet.

The Star Alliance carrier has been a scheduled ******* since 2002.

Although the carrier is seeking bankruptcy protection it says flights will continue.

The *******’s debts total some US$127 million, according to reports.