An arrangement that supports the early 2009 launch of Brazilian start-up Azul while letting JetBlue Airways slow its Embraer E-190 growth has been brokered by the two carriers, which share the same founder, David Neeleman. Under the deal, Azul has leased and taken delivery of one E-190 from JetBlue and will accept delivery of a second leased E-190 "by the end of 2008", says JetBlue chief financial officer Ed Barnes.
Additionally, JetBlue intends to sell four future E-190 deliveries to leasing firm Jetscape in the first quarter of 2009. Jetscape will subsequently lease these four aircraft to Azul.
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To date, JetBlue has deferred delivery of over 100 aircraft, and announced the sale of 18 Airbus A320s. The company's 2009 capacity plan calls for four E-190s and one A320 to be net additions to the fleet.
Source: Flight International
