How many of those were section 121 passenger airlines? 3
How many of those were international airlines? 1
How many of those were starting a new route? all
How many of those included returning a 747 to service? 0
FAA have streamlined the process for all certifications and it is pretty much identical, from a 121 to a 145, however the regulatory compliances makes the 121 the hardest thing you can ever do. The gates are the same 1 through 5.
The cost I was referring to does not include the infrastructure of an airline ONLY the creation of the actual paper.
Hire a third party consultant to do the paper is a 18 to 24 months project, this is usually done by retired FAA inspectors, 10 guys working full time on the project. cost 1 to 2 million.
Selling that "paper" is worth around $1 million.
To do this "in-house" will take much longer due to lack of experience and you will have a less manpower doing the actual job.
Adding the infrastructure to the operation you are correct, millions...
I agree, BLTA are almost done, the hard part is behind them, they will be flying soon, I know the guys in the BLTA Flight Ops department, they are good, they know what they are doing.
I think this will be a success.
