MEXICO CITY, May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --
(All figures referenced in U.S. dollars, except where noted)
- Binding letter of intent subject to negotiation of certain
commercial and financial terms; anticipated to close in 60
days
- Proposed amendments to commercial and shareholders agreements
ensure strong alignment of interest between the joint venture
partners
- Proposed 20-year extension of current CPSA term
- Proposed financial support for Aeromexico by PLM of
US$ 100 million using intercompany
loans and award ticket advance purchases, funded by PLM's cash on
hand
- Agreement in principle to grant Aeromexico a 7 year option to
purchase AIMIA's stake in PLM at a 7.5x EBITDA multiple, with
minimum price of $400 million USD for
AIMIA's stake, subject to final agreement on certain terms and
conditions.
- Parties agree to pursue initiatives to increase distributions
to shareholders
- PLM approves a $10 million USD
distribution to shareholders.
Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V. ("Aeromexico") (BMV: AEROMEX)
today announced it has signed a binding Letter of Intent with AIMIA
Inc. (TSX: AIM) reflecting the parties' agreement in principle to
negotiate certain changes to the Shareholders Agreement between
them and the commercial agreement (CPSA) between Aeromexico and PLM
Premier, S.A.P.I. (PLM), the operator of the Club Premier loyalty
program. These changes, which would include a 20-year
extension to the CPSA, are intended to strengthen the relationship
between Aeromexico and PLM, to grow and improve the program,
improve corporate governance at PLM, and align PLM shareholder
interests regarding PLM profitability and value.
As part of the proposed transactions, PLM will, from cash on its
balance sheet, provide financial support to Aeromexico of
US$100 million in the form of a
$50 million loan under the existing
intercompany loan facility and through advance award ticket
purchases of US$ 50 million.
Subject to market conditions, AIMIA and AM will explore
alternatives to strengthen PLM's balance sheet and enhance
distributions to shareholders.
AIMIA and Aeromexico have also agreed in principle regarding
modifying the Shareholders Agreement to grant Aeromexico a 7 year
option to purchase AIMIA's 48.9% equity interest in PLM at an
EBITDA multiple of 7.5x, with a minimum floor of $400 million USD for AIMIA's stake, subject to
final agreement on certain terms and conditions.
AIMIA Inc. Interim CEO Phil
Mittleman, commented: "Today's exciting announcement
represents our commitment at AIMIA to create stakeholder value and
maximize the value of our existing holdings. As a result of
AIMIA's refreshed and strong working relationship with Aeromexico,
we look forward to documenting improvements to the CPSA between
Aeromexico and PLM, as well as a long-term extension of the new
agreement. We also are pleased to support PLM providing
additional liquidity for our airline partner during a difficult
time, thereby providing continuity and stability for Club Premier
members and participants, and enhanced value for all stakeholders.
Providing Aeromexico an option to purchase our 48.9% stake in
PLM allows us to fully align our interests going forward. We
look forward to continuing working closely with Aeromexico and PLM
to continue to enhance the value of PLM for all stakeholders in the
years to come."
Aeromexico's CEO, Andres Conesa,
concurred by noting "Aeromexico is also committed to these
transactions that reset the relationship between PLM shareholders
and to taking strides on many fronts to strengthen the relationship
between Aeromexico and PLM/Club Premier. We believe that,
working together with our joint venture partner AIMIA and the
commercial teams at Aeromexico and PLM, we can ensure a bright
future for Club Premier and its members and participants. We
also appreciate the financial support offered by our partners as we
implement our strategy to emerge from the challenging situation
currently faced by the global airline industry."
This press release contains certain forward-looking
statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of
the Company and its management with respect to its performance,
business and future events. We use words such as "believe,"
"anticipate," "plan," "expect,", "intend," "target," "estimate,"
"project," "predict," "forecast," "guideline," "should" and other
similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but
they are not the only way we identify such statements. Such
statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. We caution you that a number of important factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans,
objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in
this release. Grupo Aeroméxico is under no obligation and expressly
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
About Grupo Aeromexico
Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a holding company whose
subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty
programs. Aeromexico, Mexico´s global airline, operates more than
600 daily flights and its main hub is in Terminal 2 at the
Mexico City International Airport.
Its destinations network features more than 80 cities on three
continents, including 42 destinations in Mexico, 18 in the
United States, 16 in Latin
America, 4 in Canada, 5 in
Europe and 2 in Asia.
The Group's operating fleet of 119 aircraft is comprised of
Boeing 787 and 737 jet airliners and next generation Embraer 170
and 190 models. In 2012, the airline announced the most significant
investment strategy in aviation history in Mexico, to purchase up to 100 Boeing aircraft
including 90 MAX B737 jet airliners and 10 B787-9
Dreamliner's.
As a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance,
Aeromexico offers customers more than 1,000 destinations in 179
countries served by the 19 SkyTeam airline partners rewarding
passengers with benefits including access to 636 premium airport
lounges around the world. Aeromexico also offers travel on its
codeshare partner flights with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM,
Avianca, Copa Airlines and WestJet, with extensive connectivity in
countries like the United States,
Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Peru.
www.aeromexico.com
www.skyteam.com
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SOURCE Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V.