All Things Travel: Neelman Again On Tap At Logan Airport
BOSTON (CBS) - TAP, the airline of Portugal, will be back at Boston's Logan airport with daily service to Lisbon starting on June 11.
The story behind this announcement is David Neelman whose group now owns 60 percent of the airline.
Neelman has helped create four airlines. He founded JetBlue Airways and brought it to Logan Airport in 2004. It now is ranked number one in passengers using Logan Airport.
"We saw an opportunity for a low cost carrier in Boston with Southwest flying from Manchester and Providence in 2004" said Neelman.
The combination of lower fares, more legroom, friendly flight attendants, one free checked bag and seat-back video was an instant hit.
Neelman has proved that he knows how to run an airline. Starting with Morris Air in Salt Lake City, he built JetBlue, Azul Airline in Brazil and now takes over the challenge of promoting TAP and Portugal.
JetBlue will feed passengers to TAP in both Boston and New York.
A new walkway beTween Terminal C and Terminal E will connect international and domestic passengers at Logan Airport.
The Boston-Lisbon route will be flown on a new Airbus A330 jet. Passengers can purchase a round trip ticket currently for $799, including taxes.
"I guess I'm not ready to retire," said Neelman concluding his interview. "We can all work together to make this a success."
TAP will be one of six new international airlines starting flights from Boston this year.
Of the five and a half million passengers using international carriers last year, three million flew from Logan to Europe and returned to Logan.
New service will add over 10 percent to international flights this year.
All European flights will arrive and depart from Terminal E. Massport has started plans to expand the international terminal.
All Things Travel Reports with Bob Weiss can be heard on WBZ News Radio 1030.