  We consider the (process-independent) Green function for the BFKL equation in
the next-to-leading order approximation, with running coupling, and explain
how, within the semi-classical approximation, it is related to Green function
of the Airy equation. The unique Green function is obtained from a combination
of its required ultraviolet behaviour compatible with asymptotic freedom and an
infrared limit phase imposed by the non-perturbative sector of QCD. We show
that at sufficiently large gluon transverse momenta the corresponding gluon
density matches that of the DGLAP analysis, whereas for relatively small values
of the gluon transverse momentum the gluon distribution is sensitive to the
Regge poles, whose positions are determined both by the non-pertubative QCD
dynamics and physics at large transverse momenta.
