New Brazilian Airline 'Azul' takes flight

JetBlue founder David Neeleman launched his fourth airline on Dec. 15th, Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. The Brazilian domestic carrier will inaugurate service between three cities: Campinas (Viracopos Airport), Salvador de Bahia, and Porto Alegre. Azul launches operations this month with three Embraer 195 and two Embraer 190 aircraft. Another three airplanes will be added next month to introduce nonstop service from Campinas to both Vitoria (Espirito Santo State) and Curitiba (Parana State) on January 14, 2009. With a fleet of 78 Embraer jets on order, Azul will grow in 2009 to serve 25 cities throughout Brazil with 16 aircraft. The airline will continue to receive an additional jet every month for three years to operate 36 aircraft by the end of 2011.