LAN Airlines to Acquire Colombian Airline AIRES

LAN Airlines is to acquire 98.942% of the outstanding shares of Colombian airline AIRES, through the purchase of its parent entities.

The acquisition is subject to a due diligence process and compliance with all corresponding regulatory requirements and authorizations, as well as the incorporation of Colombian shareholders into the company.

The acquisition price is US$32.5 million, to be adjusted according to variations in AIRES’ debt between the value at closing of the transaction and the value as stated in the company’s financial statements as of 31 August 2010.

The estimated time frame in order to conclude the due diligence process and finalize the acquisition is between 30 and 60 days from the signing of this agreement.

AIRES is a Colombian airline founded in 1980 and is currently the second largest operator in the Colombian domestic market with a 22% market share. AIRES provides scheduled service to 27 domestic destinations within Colombia, as well as 3 international destinations. The company’s fleet consists of 9 B737-700s, 11 Q200 and 4 Q400.

Once the acquisition occurs, AIRES would become an affiliate of LAN Airlines and each company would comply with the foreign ownership and control regulations in each country where they operate. If the combination with Brazilian airline TAM is successful, AIRES would become part of the new Latin American airline group, LATAM Airlines Group S.A.

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