TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aereas) Airbus A330-223 PT-MVP (msn 961) (Selecao Brasileira) MIA (Arnd Wolf), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

LAN Airlines S.A. (Santiago) and TAM S.A. (Sao Paulo) have 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% increase over the initial synergy estimate of $400 million per year, which the companies announced in August 2010.

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.

According to both airlines, approximately 40% of the total potential synergies will be generated from increased revenues from the passenger business, 20% will be generated from increased revenues from the cargo business and the remaining 40% of the potential synergies will be generated by cost savings. Beginning four years after the completion of the proposed combination, the breakdown of expected annual pre-tax synergies is estimated to be as follows:

Between $225 million and $260 million is expected to derive from increased revenues resulting from the combination of LAN’s and TAM’s passenger networks and the addition of new flights;

Between $120 million and $125 million is expected to derive from increased revenues attributable to new services and best practice sharing in the cargo business;

Between $15 million and $25 million is expected to derive from the consolidation of, and best practice sharing in, the frequent flyer programs of both companies;

Between $100 million and $135 million is expected to derive from cost savings relating to the coordination of airport and procurement activities which should allow LATAM Group to leverage economies of scope and scale;

Between $20 million and $25 million is expected to derive from cost savings resulting from the coordination and improved efficiency of maintenance operations which should allow LATAM Group to leverage economies of scale; and

Between $120 million and $130 million is expected to derive from cost savings resulting from the convergence of LAN’s and TAM’s information technology systems, the increased efficiency of combined sales and distribution processes, and the increased efficiency in corporate overhead costs.

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 US$170 million and US$200 million in the aggregate. Finally, LAN and TAM expect reduced investments from avoided engine and spare part purchases of approximately US$150 million, which are expected to occur over the synergy capture period.

For a full version of this release, please visit www.lan.com.

Copyright Photo: Arnd Wolf. Please click on the photo for additional information.

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