LAN's CEO Enrique Cueto said in an interview published in Santiago-based Diario Financiero that he is confident that authorities will approve the merger.
"The only issue is the Santiago-Sao Paulo route, in which we are willing to give all the guaranties," he said. "We are willing to ... guarantee lower fares and increase the offer in that route."
A LAN spokesperson in Santiago was not immediately available for comment.
LAN and TAM are waiting for the approval of Chilean and Brazilian authorities to form Latin America's largest airline in a region that has seen air traffic rise even as the global economy lags. Both carriers announced the merger plans in August.
Local media has reported Chilean authorities are worried that the new LATAM Airlines Group could end up with nearly complete control over the Santiago-Sao Paulo route after the merger. Still, experts have said approval is likely in both countries. (Reuters)
