LAN, TAM Announce New Synergy Financial Estimate for LATAM Airlines Group

LAN Airlines S.A. and TAM S.A. recently announced a revised estimate of the synergies expected to be achieved through the merger of the two airlines to create LATAM Airlines Group S.A.

LAN and TAM estimate that the combined synergies arising from the proposed combination could increase LATAM Group’s annual operating income over time by between $600 million and $700 million, before depreciation and taxes, beginning four years after completion of the transaction. This represents a 50-to-75-percent increase over the initial synergy estimate of $400 million per year, which the companies announced in August.

The new estimate, which is based on work performed by the companies together with consultants McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company over the past ten weeks, reflects further revisions and updates of the expected combined cost savings and revenue generating opportunities arising from the proposed combination and includes best practice sharing benefits that have been identified in certain areas. Of the total expected annual pre-tax synergies, between $170 million and $200 million may be achieved within the first year after completion of the transaction.

Roughly 40 percent of the total potential synergies will be generated from increased revenues from the passenger business, 20 percent will be generated from increased revenues from the cargo business and the remaining 40 percent of the potential synergies will be generated by cost savings.

The estimated revenues and cost savings expected to result from the synergies and best practice sharing described above do not include any implementation costs. LAN and TAM expect that the one-time merger costs, including banking, consulting and legal advisory fees, to be incurred during 2012 and the investments required over the term of the synergy capture period to achieve the above-mentioned synergies will be between $170 million and $200 million in the aggregate.

Finally, LAN and TAM expect reduced investments from avoided engine and spare part purchases of approximately $150 million, which are expected to occur over the synergy capture period.