MONTREAL — **********’s acquisition of the Aeroplan loyalty program has received all required federal regulatory approvals ahead of a shareholders’ vote on a $450-million agreement reached by the ******* in ********.
Shareholders of current Aeroplan owner Aimia Inc. are scheduled to vote on the cash deal on Jan. 8.
Under their agreement, ********** will buy the Aeroplan business from Aimia for cash and also assume $1.9 billion of liabilities to points holders – partially backed by two banks that offer Aeroplan credit cards.
Toronto-Dominion Bank and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will pay ********** about $1.2 billion in total. The banks and Visa have agreed to stay with the loyalty program until at least 2030.
Aimia and the Montreal-based ******* said Monday they’ve received required clearances under the Competition Act and Canada Transportation Act.