Transat AT shareholders approve Air Canada buyout
Air Canada’s turbulent courtship of Transat A.T. shareholders has seemingly reaped its rewards.
Transat shareholders overwhelmingly approved Air Canada’s acquisition offer but the biggest hurdle is still to come.
It is now in the hands of Canada’s competition watchdog which could yet scupper the deal.
It would give Air Canada about 60% of Canadian transatlantic market and strengthen its grip on domestic and international travel out of Montreal.
"Today, we are very confident that we will get the approval of these different regulatory authorities," Transat board member Jean-Yves Leblanc said.
The two airlines have sought to ease fears of fare increases once a deal is completed but that’s not a view shared by many others.
"If you are interested in travelling to Rome, London or Paris, the price is going up, because Air Canada and Transat really control this market," said Michel Nadeau, executive director at the Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations.
"The temptation will be to boost the price."
There are also fears over possible job losses.
Nearly 95% voted in favor of the Air Canada offer, which was raised at the last minute from $13 per share to $18.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026