Трансат AT: Тарихы, сату әрекеттері және тәуелсіздік сақталуы

Transat A. T. Inc. is an international, vertically integrated tour operator with nearly 20 business units in 8 countries. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In May 2021, Jean Marc Eustache, then CEO and one of the principal founders of the company, announced he would retire, with Annick Guerard (previously COO) becoming president and CEO effective May 27, 2021.

Transat was founded in the early 1980s by Jean Marc Eustache, Lina De Cesare and Philippe Sureau as 'Trafic Voyages. The company was a wholesaler specializing in travel from Québec to France. In 1987, the company, which had been renamed Transat, was listed on the stock exchange through an initial public offering that generated $8.25 million. The company used the proceeds to establish its own airline, Air Transat, and to embark into a series of acquisitions in order to solidify its position as an outgoing tour operator in Canada and France, as well as to develop new destination markets.

On 16 May 2019, Transat AT Inc. announced it was in exclusive talks for 30 days with Air Canada which intended to purchase the company. An offer was subsequently made by Air Canada at C$13 per share and another company, Group Mach, proposed a purchase at C$14. On 27 June 2019, the Board of Transat AT accepted Air Canada's all cash bid of C$520 million and did not comment on the C$527.6 proposal from Group Mach because the talks with Air Canada were still exclusive. The deal required approval by two thirds of shareholders; some major investors, and some financial analysts, stated that the offer is below the true value of the company. Regulatory and governmental approval would be required for sale of Transat AT. A May report by CBC News stated that "regulatory approvals are no sure thing". If the Air Canada purchase is concluded, Air Transat would continue to operate as a separate brand. In late August 2019, 94.77% of shareholders voted in favour of accepting Air Canada's final offer of $18 per share, a $720 million deal. The plan was "expected to face intense scrutiny from the Competition Bureau and other regulatory authorities, including in Europe", according to CBC News. In October 2020, the sale price for Transat AT was reduced from C$18 to C$5 per share. The closing of the deal is expected for early 2021. In February 2021, the federal government has approved the 190 million deal (or $5/share). The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic prompted a revision of the deal as well as a decision factor for the Canadian government to approve the merger. This proposed acquisition by Air Canada has been terminated upon mutual agreement on April 2, 2021, after having been advised by the European Commission that it would not approve the transaction.