Avianca not for sale but seeks partnerships - president

Avianca Holdings is not for sale and talks with other airlines are efforts to look for possible partnerships that will speed up growth, the president of the company's board and its top shareholder said Thursday, after recent reports the airline was up for grabs. Sources have said that United Continental, Delta Air Lines and China's HNA Group are interested in purchasing Avianca and Avianca Brasil, both controlled by German Efromovich's Synergy Group. "Avianca is not for sale. Alliance conversations happen constantly every day," Efromovich said. Deals with other airlines could allow Avianca to renovate its fleet of planes with more efficient aircraft sooner, he said. The company is also examining a possible reorganisation that may reduce executive positions, Efromovich said. <br/>