Aimia to divest stake in PLM loyalty program
2022-02-08 09:09 ET - News Release
Mr. Phil Mittleman reports
AIMIA TO DIVEST ITS STAKE IN PLM LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR NET PROCEEDS OF UP TO $517 MILLION
Aimia Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiaries, Aimia Holdings U.K. Ltd. and Aimia Holdings U.K. II Ltd. have entered into a binding letter of intent (LOI) with PLM Premier SAPI de CV, Grupo Aeromexico SAB de CV and Aerovias de Mexico SA de CV to divest the company's 48.9-per-cent equity stake in PLM, the owner and operator of Club Premier, the leading loyalty program in Mexico, and upon which PLM will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Aeromexico.
Consideration and Additional Earn-out Amount
Upon closing of the transaction, Aimia Holdings UK Limited and Aimia Holdings UK II Limited will receive approximately $492 million in net cash proceeds, subject to certain adjustments to be made at closing pursuant to the Binding LOI and Definitive Agreement (as defined below).
In addition, an earn-out in an amount of approximately $25 million on a net basis, is payable to Aimia Holdings UK Limited and Aimia Holdings UK II Limited in cash should the PLM loyalty program achieve certain targeted annual gross billings amounts by 2024, subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the Binding LOI and the Definitive Agreement. Accounting for such targeted earn-out, the net proceeds payable to Aimia Holdings UK Limited and Aimia Holdings UK II Limited add up to approximately $517 million, or $5.58 per common share.
Terms of the transaction are in US dollars. Canadian dollar amounts have been translated at a USD/CAD exchange rate of 1.2758 as of the date of this press release. Approximate consideration per common share is calculated on the basis of 92,488,212 common shares outstanding as of February 1, 2022.
Transaction Closing Conditions
On June 30, 2020, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in Bankruptcy Court. After hearings were held on January 27 and 28, 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order on February 4, 2022 (the "Confirmation Order Date") confirming the Debtors' Plan and approving the transactions thereunder, including, among other things, the transactions contemplated by the Binding LOI.
The parties to the Binding LOI will prepare and execute one or more definitive agreements for the transaction reflecting the terms and conditions of the Binding LOI (the "Definitive Agreement"), which Definitive Agreement will include customary representations and warranties, indemnity provisions and closing conditions, including, among others, consummation of the Debtor's Plan on its effective date and approval by Mexican antitrust authorities. If all of the required closing conditions are satisfied or fulfilled, the proposed transaction is expected to close within six months from the Confirmation Order Date.
Phil Mittleman, CEO of Aimia, said: "We want to thank our joint venture partner, Aeromexico, for their collaboration in achieving the best outcome for all stakeholders. Aeromexico has been a valued and trusted partner since 2010, and we applaud them, and the PLM leadership team for continuing to successfully navigate an unprecedented period in the travel industry. We wish Aeromexico continued success as they emerge from the bankruptcy process as a significantly strengthened airline, supported by its loyalty program."
Mr. Mittleman added, "The substantial cash proceeds from this transaction, combined with our existing cash, investments, and significant operating and capital tax losses, will optimally position Aimia to continue to capitalize on the best investment opportunities globally and deliver strong returns to our stakeholders."
Andres Conesa, CEO of Aeromexico stated: "Today's announcement is another very exciting day for the Aeromexico family and our Club Premier members. This is an important milestone in the Aeromexico restructuring process and marks a major step forward as we continue our complete transformation of the Aeromexico customer experience. We would like to thank Aimia for their collaboration and close partnership over the past decade. Since 2010, our joint vision has built Club Premier into one of the leading airline loyalty programs in Latin America. Aeromexico customers will benefit from a more relevant and agile program that represents the best option to reward loyalty both on the ground and in the air in Mexico and around the world across all destinations Aeromexico serves."
Jefferies LLC served as financial advisor to Aimia in connection with the Transaction.
A redacted copy of the Binding LOI will be filed under Aimia's SEDAR profile at www.SEDAR.com.
About Aimia
Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM) is a holding company with a focus on making long-term investments in public and private companies, on a global basis, through controlling or minority stakes.
The company owns a portfolio of investments which include: a 48.9% equity stake in PLM Premier, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (PLM), owner and operator of Club Premier, the coalition loyalty program in Mexico that operates the Aeromexico Frequent Flyer program, a 10.85% stake in Clear Media Limited, one of the largest outdoor advertising firms in China, a 48.8% equity stake in Kognitiv, a B2B technology company enabling collaborative commerce, a 12.3% equity stake in TRADE X, a global B2B cross-border automotive trading platform as well as a wholly owned investment advisory business, Mittleman Investment Management, LLC.