Avianca Nears Cashless Deal With United Air, Efromovich Says

  • Would-be partners ‘underestimated the timeline’ to reach pact
  • U.S. carrier ‘not putting a cent into’ Colombian counterpart
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Avianca Holdings SA and United Continental Holdings Inc. are nearing a joint-venture agreement in which no money will change hands, said Jose Efromovich, an Avianca board member whose brother German is chairman.

A transaction would cap a year of talks between the companies about forging a closer relationship. A joint venture arrangement would enable the carriers to share profits and coordinate fares and schedules, if approved by regulators.