Brazil regulator approves Qatar Airways' buy of LATAM Airlines stake

LATAM Airlines said Wednesday that Brazil's competition regulator Cade has given the green light for Qatar Airways to purchase a stake in the Chile-headquartered regional carrier. Qatar Airways in July agreed to acquire up to 10% of LATAM's total shares following a capital increase of $613m, through the issuance of new shares at $10 per share. LATAM said it will now move forward with the planned capital increase, which it had said late Tuesday would be delayed as it awaited for the approval from the Brazil's Cade. The controlling shareholder families of LATAM have agreed to the transaction.<br/>