Abra Group Completes Acquisition of Wamos Air

Abra Group has successfully obtained regulatory approvals to acquire Wamos Air (EB, Madrid Barajas), integrating the Spanish ACMI and charter carrier into its portfolio, which already includes Avianca Airlines (AV, Bogotá) and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (G3, São Paulo Congonhas).

“We are very pleased to announce that the strategic investment in Wamos Air by our Group is now a reality,” stated Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of the Abra Group. Wamos Air will retain its own leadership, brand, culture, and operations, similar to the arrangements with Avianca and GOL.

This acquisition enables Abra Group to enter long-haul markets with widebody aircraft outside its current operations in Colombia. While the size of the stake and its monetary value were not disclosed, it is important to note that as a UK-based entity, Abra is subject to EU regulations limiting foreign ownership of EU-flagged airlines to 49.99%. The group has refrained from providing further details about the transaction, redirecting inquiries to its press release.

On July 11, 2024, Abra Group informed Spain’s market regulator, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), about its plans to acquire joint control of Wamos Air through Avianca Midco 2 PLC, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) indirectly controlled by the group. Additionally, Wamos Executive, a new entity formed in Malta, will hold a majority stake and voting rights in Wamos, with shareholders consisting of two unspecified EU citizens.

Enrique Saiz, CEO of Wamos Air, expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating it would enable the airline to “pursue new business strategies, growth, and consolidation, while continuing to focus on our wet-lease business.”

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Wamos Air currently operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, including five A330-200s and eight A330-300s.

In addition to the acquisition, Abra Group holds a convertible credit in SKY Airline (Chile) (H2, Santiago de Chile) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR, Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery) in October 2023 to enhance their collaboration. This strategic move reflects Abra Group’s commitment to expanding its influence in the aviation sector.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com