Neeleman Bets on New Planes, Routes to Turn Around Carrier TAP

David Neeleman, the founder of Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras SA, plans to modernize the fleet of Portuguese carrier TAP and expand the network in a bid to fend off competition and turn around the debt-laden airline.

Neeleman, who teamed up with Portuguese bus tycoon Humberto Pedrosa to buy 61 percent of TAP from the Portuguese government this month, will purchase 53 new Airbus jets for TAP, increase the number of flights to Brazil and include Boston, Chicago and Washington to TAP’s U.S. routes.