(TAN): Air Canada has concluded an amended transaction with Transat A.T. that provides for Air Canada to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Transat and for its combination with Air Canada, the airline said.
Under the binding agreement, unanimously approved by the board of directors of Transat, Air Canada will acquire all shares of Transat for CAD 5.00 (USD 3.80) per share, payable at the option of Transat shareholders in cash or shares of Air Canada at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.2862 Air Canada share for each Transat share (representing a price for the Air Canada shares of CAD 17.47). The value of the transaction is approximately CAD 190 million.
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The amended transaction reflects the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 upon the global air transport industry, which has endured a severe decline in air travel since the initial Arrangement Agreement between Air Canada and Transat was concluded and approved by Transat shareholders in August 2019.
The transaction remains subject to shareholder approval, court approval, the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, certain customary and other conditions, and regulatory approvals including the ongoing approval process of regulatory authorities in Canada and the European Union. If such approvals are obtained and conditions are met, the transaction is expected to be completed in late January or early February 2021.
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“Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the global airline industry, with a material impact on the value of airlines and aviation assets. Nonetheless, Air Canada intends to complete its acquisition of Transat, at a reduced price and on modified terms,” said Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada. “This combination will provide stability for Transat’s operations and its stakeholders and will position Air Canada, and indeed the Canadian aviation industry, to emerge more strongly as we enter the post-Covid-19 world.”
