Iberia seeks information on Mexican airline sales

Airline Industry Information, July 28, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Spanish airline Iberia has requested information on the privatisation of two Mexican airlines, the company said on Wednesday (27 July).

Earlier in July Mexico launched a tender to privatise Mexicana and Aeromexico. However, Iberia said it was concerned about the regulatory restrictions placed on the sale. According to a spokesperson for Iberia, the company wants to have the freedom of management in the privatised airline, otherwise it will not be interested in bidding.

Under the restrictions placed on the tender, both airlines must be controlled by Mexican investors and any foreign investor must join a Mexican-led consortium. The airline holding company Cintra will reportedly take bids for minimum stakes of 51%.

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