Peru

Key decisions loom in 2012 for Avianca-TACA as integration effort nears completion

The spotlight in Latin America this year will primarily be shone on LAN and TAM as the two airline groups complete their landmark merger and begin the integration process. But it is also a key year for Avianca-TACA, which completed their merger in early 2010 and has completed about 90% of its integration process.

The integration of Avianca and TACA will be wrapped up this year as the carrier formally joins the Star Alliance, completing two major milestones for the fast-expanding airline group. Several major decisions also loom for the group in 2012 related to its corporate structure, branding and fleet.

Structurally, a decision will likely be made by the end of this year on whether to bring Avianca Brazil into the publicly traded holding company Avianca-TACA. The Brazilian carrier is still owned by the Synergy Group, the holding company controlled by the Efromovich family which also owned Avianca prior to its merger with TACA (the Efromovich family now has a majority share in Avianca-TACA Holding). As a result, Avianca Brazil remains separate although it has a co-branding arrangement with Colombia-based Avianca.

LAN blames fuel prices, ash cloud and Aires for unusually small profit

LAN turned a net profit of only USD16 million in 2Q2011, a 74% decrease compared with the USD61 million profit from 2Q2010 and the airline group’s lowest profit for any quarter since 2Q2009. LAN, which over the past several years has had one of highest airline profit margins in the world, also recorded its lowest operating profit margin in five years. The Chile-based airline group said its 2Q2011 results were impacted by higher fuel prices, operational disruptions caused by volcanic ash and losses at new Colombian subsidiary Aires.

Avianca-TACA enjoys profitable first year as merged entity

Avianca-TACA is confident of a successful debut on the Colombian stock exchange after a profitable first year as Latin America’s fourth largest airline group. Colombia-based Avianca and El Salvador-based TACA completed their historic merger in early 2010, creating the fourth largest airline group in Latin America after LAN, TAM and Gol.

Ryanair in the dock

Ryanair may have to repay millions of euros as Germany’s highest court ruled fees it has received to operate from airports may amount to subsidies in breach of EU competition rules. Lufthansa and airberlin have been awarded the right to pursue legal action accordingly. Together with the other difficulties the Irish airline faces in Germany could this be the beginning of the end for its operations there? Or might there be even more significant outcomes?