PAXBoy,
You really don't need 3 years to get an airline flying here, an example is Jet Blue of Brazil, they anounced the airline in March 08' and promised to begin service Jan 09'. IMHO I'm pretty sure RB and his team have done the research already, otherwise he would have remained tight lipped. Slots and equipment (acfts) aren't much of an obstacle at the present moment, big slowdown in some big markets. Oh well, only time will tell!