Investigation reveals that Viva Air would already be controlled by Avianca

The newspaper The Republic of Colombia accessed Evidence reserved from the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) of the same country, which shows that the low cost airline Viva Air is already being controlled by Avianca.

As recalled, to date the companies have argued that the purchase of Viva’s economic rights by Avianca does not grant it permits, since the rights are held by Avianca. Castle South Limitedwhich is not part of the Avianca group.

However, the SIC of the Colombian country highlights that having the economic rights would have been enough to constitute the business integration between both companies.

Likewise, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce indicated that the intervention of third parties that are not part of the Avianca group does not undermine the integration. This is because the competition from Air and Viva Perú, in addition to the employees of the companies, knew that the operation was going to be carried out.

“Everyone is aware that the operation has already materialized and that it is final.”, says the entity’s investigation.

“Those who hold management positions and all employees of Viva Air are aware that as of April 29, 2022 The economic interests of the company fall on the business group of which Avianca is a part. In addition, since that date they are aware that a formal integration request would eventually be processed before Aerocivil so that Viva and Avianca could formalize the structural economic ties that in practice they already had”, they explain.

Colombian Prosecutor’s Office investigates Viva Air

In parallel, the general prosecutor of Colombia, Francisco Barbosareported that alleged irregularities in the sale of Viva Air tickets are being investigated, in the midst of its financial crisis.

In dialogue with RCN Radio from the same country, Barbosa said that it will be investigated if there was a massive aggravated fraud that caused damages among national and international users.