The Spanish newspaper El País published an article on Javier Martín that traces a profile David Neeleman, the Brazilian businessman who bought the TAP, the Portuguese airline. ‘Neeleman collects airlines. With 26 years created the first of these, the American Morris Air. It was just the beginning. Now, with 59, managed to TAP, Portugal flag line.
Although he was born in São Paulo, Neeleman attended the University of Utah, the only confessional State of the United States. In its capital, Salt Lake City, the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For ordinary mortals, the church of the Mormons. Neeleman is a Mormon and has nine children with his -única- wife, Vicki, “writes Martin.
The new owner of TAP only lived in Brazil until 5 years, when he moved to Utah, where the his father, a journalist for UPI, was transferred. Ali continued his studies until the age of 19 returned to home country on a Mormon mission.
Back in Utah, at age 26 founded his first airline, Morris Air, which was soon bought by Southest Airlines for 130 million dollars (392 million reais). His next business was in Canada, WestJet, which continues in operation. It was the beginning of the Internet, but Neeleman, who has attention deficit, or is hyperactive, saw the possibility of selling the web passes. Created OpenSkies and soon sold it to HP for $ 20 million.
But the industry recognition came in 2000 when he created the US JetBlue as it revolutionized the market for low-cost services, and earnings also down from its staff. I was 39 years old. Eight years later it would be replaced in his own company, despite the profits obtained in an industry always in crisis.
Religion, he says, has been instrumental in his professional career, which is based on proximity to the customer . A customs when flying is to take the microphone plane and present passengers. “Welcome to my company. If you want to tell me something, I’m at your disposal, “he announces. And what it requires for you, it also requires for all employees. Its business objective is to offer cheap tickets, new aircraft and free entertainment in armchairs – for now, it seems that the formula guarantees you success
In 2008, a year after being fired from his own company. – Still It maintains two million shares JetBlue- created the Blue, in Brazil. Last year the company earned more than 3 billion euros (10.5 billion dollars) and became the third Brazilian airline.
The TAP is one more item on your resume, it will serve you to complete strategic routes between America and Africa, through Europe. To take over the Portuguese company also manages in Brazil an equipment maintenance center, with the TAP was a source of millions in losses, with synergies Blue will become a very valuable asset.
Neeleman acquired thanks to Getaway TAP consortium, formed by the owner of the bus company Barraqueiro Portuguese and funds of US investment. Its new investment will not be a bed of roses. For many Portuguese, TAP is part of its national shield, is one of its emblems, a union link between the scattered Portuguese-speaking world, from Angola to Macau.
The Socialist Party, favorite to win the election October, announced that it will revoke the sale, but the state can not inject more money in this public company that recently appeared in the news more for its strikes and breakdowns than the millions of travelers carrying. At the time, Neeleman is a business owner with more than a billion dollars in debt.
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