Blue and Avianca will take up to a year to join

The potential integration between blue and part of the operations of Avianca Brazil, in reorganization, the company of David Neeleman plans to acquire, it should take between six months and one year after the approval of the deal. The estimate is John Peter Rodgerson, President of blue. "Six months to do a ' blue ', but it is expected up to 12 months," he said. For the business to be completed, companies must still overcome several steps, including the approval of creditors of Avianca and Brazilian regulatory authorities, which is estimated at three months. Rodgerson downplayed the concern of specialists regarding the approval to be given to the model of operation. "What we're doing is what others have done, that the Goal did with Varig," he said. "I'm not buying slot (takeoffs and landings), but a company that is operating slot." He also confirmed that Blue is willing to anticipate as much as $40 million to help Avianca. He admitted that "a little bit" of resources has already been passed, through the judicial judge, but did not reveal the total. Blue executives stress that the full adaptation of the fleet should take longer. The company estimates $ $130 million on reconfiguring and painting aircraft and training.