Analysts said fresh capital would certainly be needed for the merged airline, and it would probably have to come from Brazil's national development bank.

Even this merged airline would have only 32 planes, about 10 percent of Air Canada's fleet.

When completed, the merged airline will have the following hubs:

The new merged airline operates under the Vueling brand, with Clickair ceasing their operations.

The merged airline, he said, might even add commuter flights.

One big task facing Fallon would be to create campaigns publicizing the merged airline.

But to achieve such a goal, British Airways executives had insisted on control over the merged airline, people close to the negotiations said.

The merged airline is called "Delta Air Lines."

Though little known outside the industry, he was able to persuade investors that his young management team could run the merged airlines.

Private investors will own 52 percent of the merged airline after committing more than $565 million.