Former JetBlue CEO Sticks With Home Team For AirBrazil

This week, Embraer signed a contract with the newest Brazilian airline, commanded by JetBlue founder and former CEO David Neeleman, for the sale of 36 Embraer 195 jets. The agreement also includes options for another 20 aircraft and purchase rights for 20 more.

The total value of the order, at list price, is US$ 1.4 billion, and could reach US$ 3 billion, if all of the options and rights of purchase are confirmed.

“We are indeed proud to have been selected by this new Brazilian airline to bring to the domestic market a fresh, customer-driven alternative for local passengers,” stated Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO. “The Embraer 195 offers a distinctive combination of performance and comfort and, most certainly, will capture the preference of Brazilian consumers who are looking for more modern and spacious airplanes.”

The new company -- for the moment, known as AirBrazil -- registered a request for an Airline Company Certificate of Approval (Certificado de Homologação de Empresa de Transporte Aéreo - CHETA) with the National Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil - ANAC) this month, and will soon launch a marketing campaign to publicize its name and brand. The first jet will be delivered by Embraer later this year.

“The Embraer 195 is the perfect airplane for the Brazilian market,” said Neeleman. “With 30% fewer seats than the aircraft favored by the competition, the Embraer 195 offers competitive unit costs and much lower trip costs. Because we can make money with fewer passengers per flight, we can provide nonstop service in more markets than exists today.”

Born in the city of São Paulo, Neeleman (shown above) gained broad experience throughout 24 years of involvement in the air transportation market in the United States... some of those years more notable than others.

As ANN reported, Neeleman was forced out of his CEO position of the airline he founded in May 2007, after JetBlue suffered a series of weather-related operations snafus that shut down the carrier for days.

FMI: www.embraer.com