A change in ownership has helped end the impasse that has grounded LanPeru, with the carrier re-starting domestic operations on 1 February, restoring LanChile's role in Peruvian aviation.
In December, LanPeru was forced to suspend all flights after LanChile dropped its insurance coverage on aircraft leased to LanPeru.
Since then, Lorenzo Sousa, president of Peruval Corp, LanPeru's largest Peruvian stake-holder (LanChile holdsa 49% stake), has on several occasions announced imminent re-starts for the carrier - but all have aborted. Now Sousa has agreed to sell his Peruval company's stake in LanPeru to a Lima-based, Peruvian lawyer, Emilio Rodriguez Larrain.
The protagonists have been Sousa and the senior management of LanChile. With Rodriguez replacing Sousa, LanChile now seems to have the upper hand. It is unclear if Rodriguez has any ties with LanChile, although LanChile sought Peruvian partners to replace Sousa or to launch a new airline using the LanPeru name. Rodriguez is a partner in one of Lima's largest law firms. He has no aviation experience, but observers predict he will restore stability.
LanPeru's shareholders have agreed that Rodriguez will become president. LanChile's Sergio Purcell (temporarily ousted by Sousa) will re-take the reins as LanPeru's general manager. Meanwhile, TACA Peru has exploited this turmoil by launching its own services from Lima.
Source: Airline Business
