JetBlue Founder Starting Airline in Brazil

NY Times: JetBlue Founder Starting Airline in Brazil

David Neeleman, who as founder of JetBlue Airways helped to redefine start-up carriers in the United States by using new jets and offering above-bargain-basement service, said Thursday that he would start a domestic airline in Brazil. . .

Mr. Neeleman was born in Brazil. His father was a journalist stationed there for United Press International. As a Mormon, Mr. Neeleman returned to Brazil for two years, starting when he was 19, and did missionary work. He is a citizen of both Brazil and the United States, which allows him to hold a controlling interest in an airline in both countries. . . .

Mr. Neeleman stepped aside as chief executive of JetBlue last May, months after the carrier suffered a meltdown of operations during an ice storm at John F. Kennedy International Airport, stranding hundreds of passengers for long periods on the tarmac. He remains chairman of JetBlue.

“One of the things that excites me about Brazil is they don’t have ice storms,” Mr. Neeleman said.