Lan Airlines To Acquire Colombian Airline

NEWSROOM


Lan Airlines To Acquire Colombian Airline By Daniel Baxter

		November 29, 2010 - LAN Airlines S.A. announced the signing of the definitive purchase agreement for the acquisition of 98.942% of the outstanding shares of Colombian airline AIRES. Having completed the due diligence process, LAN will acquire AIRES for US$12 million in cash, in addition to assuming net liabilities of approximately US$100 million, which include US$18 million of bank debt. This transaction will provide the opportunity for an affiliate of LAN to participate in the Colombian passenger market, one of the largest markets in South America, thus allowing for LAN and its affiliates to continue strengthening their regional presence and providing seamless service to its passengers.

Ignacio Cueto, LAN?s President and Chief Operating Officer, stated ?We are very proud to announce this transaction. AIRES has made an important contribution by allowing many people in Colombia access to air travel as a means of transportation. AIRES will satisfy the foreign ownership and control requirements of each country where it operates. The company will replicate LAN?s successful and efficient ?low cost? model already operating in the domestic markets of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, stimulating demand on domestic flights by providing more Colombian citizens the opportunity to use air transportation. "LAN will now consolidate this growth by elevating even further the airline?s safety, quality, and service standards. We will dedicate our maximum efforts to advance this process as swiftly as possible, applying the experience and recognized capabilities of LAN, so that passengers may benefit from the changes that will gradually be incorporated to the AIRES operations.? In the medium term, AIRES will evaluate the expansion of international passenger operations and the advantages of any synergies it may obtain from LAN Cargo?s affiliate in Colombia, LANCO, launched in March 2009. LAN will dedicate its maximum efforts to ensure that the safety, punctuality and efficiency standards of its new affiliate are consistent with LAN?s own high standards. The integration process may involve certain operational changes such as itinerary modifications and efficiency improvements. This process will not interfere with the continuity of current operations of AIRES, and is expected to be completed within the next months.

AIRES is the second largest operator in the Colombian domestic market with a 22% market share. As of September 2010, AIRES had operating revenues of US$190.9 million. The AIRES fleet consists of 9 B737-700s, 11 Q200 and 4 Q400, all of which are operating leases.

LAN continues to provide Colombian airline AEROASIS SA with technical support and service consultancy in the process of obtaining its operating permit issued by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeron?utica Civil).

LAN Airlines is one of the leading passenger and cargo airlines in Latin America. The company and its affiliates serve over 70 destinations around the world through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America, while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 70 additional international destinations through its various alliances.

		LAN Airlines and its affiliates have a leading position in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru as well as an important presence in the Argentinean and Ecuadorian domestic markets. Currently, LAN Airlines and its affiliates operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, with 91 passenger aircraft. LAN Cargo and its respective affiliates have a fleet of 12 dedicated freighters. The Company has one the youngest fleets in the world which has meant greater efficiency and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental protections. Other News Stories UK Pilots Warn Of Body Scanners And Pat Downs FAA Issues First License Permitting Reentry To Earth ACLU Received Over 900 Complaints - ?Enhanced? TSA Security Measures FAA Responds To EAA Request For Extension Of IA Policy Proposal Passenger Demand Strengthens Freight At A Turning Point Boeing To Make Changes To 787 Power Panel Air Force Major Dismissed Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" To Rejoin The Military No Full Body Scans Or 'Enhanced' Pat Downs For Flight Crews Evergreen Airlines Pilots To Vote On Strike Pilot Identity Verification Program Moves Forward Canadian Consumers Rank Chicago O'Hare Airport 'Top Turkey' Maintenance Trainer Rotor Aircraft To Be Previewed At Training Conference Jacksonville Aviation Authority Launches Rebranding Effort DHL Helps Boy Scouts Distribute Popcorn Across Chicago Air Cargo Screening Bill An Early Warning For Transportation Planners US Airways Pilots Protest Slow Pace Of Contract Talks NetJets Supports Art Basel Miami Beach US Airways Honors Maintenance Manager For 50 Years Of Service GBA Introduces ArrowHawk Gyroplane At Airshow China In Zhuhai JAL Voluntary Retirement Fails Company Will Layoff Flight Crews Mooney Aircraft Employees Face Another Round Of Layoffs ICAO Strengthens Air Cargo Security Measures FAA Fines K-Mart And Radiology Corp For Not Properly Declaring Caro Wayne County Airport Authority Holds Contractor Accountable ITT Delivers First Composite Assembly Of Sikorsky CH-53K Helicopter Legacy 600 Recovered From The Jungles Of Brazil By A US Company FAA Fines Aviation Technical Services Of Everett Washington