UPDATE: David Neeleman doesn't have plans to create another airline in the U.S. or elsewhere, according to an Azul spokeswoman. An earlier version of this report said that Azura Airways Corp. would be a new U.S. airline.
JetBlue founder David Neeleman looks to be planning a new company.
On July 13, Neeleman registered Azura Airways Corp. in
Connecticut -- the same state in which JetBlue is registered.
Neeleman, who founded Canadian carrier WestJet and
Brazilian carrier Azul, remains the chairman of Azul's board, but last week the
carrier announced that former CFO John Rodgerson would replace Neeleman as CEO.
Neeleman is listed in the Azura registration as a company
principal along with James Smith, a former American Airlines executive, and
Azul aircraft programs director Amir Nasruddin.
On Monday, Azura appeared to have taken down its webpage
at Flyazura.com. But both the CAPA Centre for Aviation and Airline Weekly
reported that last week the page was advertising for airline employees.
The company is to be based in New York and its
website said that it was "inspired by airline veterans who believe
innovation is just the beginning," CAPA said.