The opening to foreign capital should have a counterpart, says the founder of Azul – Epoca NEGOCIOS

"What will Brazil have in exchange for this openness (from the aviation sector to foreign capital)?" Blue founder David Neeleman, chairman of the board, said: company administration, criticized yesterday the provisional measure signed by President Michel Temer (Photo: Reproduction / Facebook)

which opens the air sector to foreign capital.For the entrepreneur, it is a type of decision that was not taken during the last week of the government: "I'm not against the measure, the problem is how it was taken, without transparency."

Neeleman says the decision would have could be progressive and negotiated by country.In his opinion, the limit of opening could have been revised to 49% with d & # 39; other countries to balance the competitive environment. "What will Brazil have in return with this openness?" The country should not give up its sovereignty without thinking about it. "According to the business man, few countries allow a total foreign control of the airlines without some kind of Neeleman has extensive experience in the sector and has helped to establish six airlines throughout his career.In addition to Azul, he was a founding member of JetBlue and WestJet and also participated in the privatization of the Portuguese company TAP

The crisis of Avianca may represent a commercial opportunity here.If there is a sale process of the company, which began a judicial reorganization this week, Azul will evaluate the numbers. "Neeleman said despite plans announced Thursday by the government, the airline's plans for Brazil are maintained. 15% in 2019.

Business Environment
The businessman also criticized the business environment in the country, which undermines the efficiency enterprises. "Brazilian pilots can only fly about 800 hours a year, in the United States the limit is about one thousand hours," says Neeleman. This is one of the reasons why Azul was also opposed to the open skies agreement with the United States, ratified this year by Michel Temer's government. In addition, companies can not charge a range of services to consumers, as shown by US companies "at very low cost". To complete the list of difficulties, he points out that the cost of fuel here is 50% higher than that of the United States. Despite this, the founder of Azul believes that the Brazilian market is already "ultracompetitive", with sometimes four companies operating on the same route – although Azul has an advantage in this regard, insofar as he performs several flights of his side. "If it were not competitive, Avianca Brasil would not seek judicial recovery, it would be able to fulfill its obligations." The information comes from the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo