Synergy spreads its wings to Argentina and Mexico to broaden its strategic Latin markets

After losing the competition to acquire a majority stake in TAP Portugal during 2015, the South American conglomerate Synergy Group has turned its attention to Argentina and Mexico - two of Latin America's most promising markets. Mexico's domestic passenger growth continues at a steady rate, and a more liberalised era ushered in by Argentina's new government is opening up the country's domestic and international markets to new competitors.

Synergy is taking a sizeable stake in the Mexican regional airline Aeromar, a small player in the country's aviation market compared with the fast-growing low cost airlines that have grown rapidly during the last few years. Synergy decided to outline plans for its stake in Aeromar just as the US presidential election casts a cloud over the Mexican market due to president-elect Trump's protectionist rhetoric during his campaign.

Synergy's moves in Argentina and Mexico are occurring as Avianca Holdings searches for a strategic investor and foreign entities line up to invest in Latin American airlines. For now, Synergy remains Avianca's largest shareholder.