United, Avianca in strategic partnership talks

United Airlines and Avianca Holdings are engaged in negotiations to “deepen the companies’ commercial and strategic relations,” United said. United said it is also in talks with Avianca Brasil. Details of what form the strategic partnership may take were not revealed. “The board of directors of Avianca has authorised Avianca to carry out all the analysis and other steps that are required for a potential strategic-commercial alliance with United Airlines,” Avianca told regulators. It is unclear whether the negotiations could lead to United taking a stake in Avianca or Avianca Brasil. Avianca Brasil CE Jose Efromovich said last year that Avianca had “opened up the door” to a potential outside investment. “ <br/>