Loyalty is big business for airlines, not least when it comes to retaining the lucrative corporate travelers that so many rely on for their financial well-being. With this in mind, Aeromexico has reached a deal with Aimia to bring its loyalty program, Club Premier, back under its full control. The Mexico City-based carrier will pay Aimia $405m to acquire the company’s 48.9% stake in PLM Premier, which owns Club Premier, the parties said Tuesday. If approved, the deal would give Aeromexico full control of the loyalty program that boasted 6.7m members in 2020 that, according to a PLM filing in the airline’s US Chapter 11 restructuring, includes many of the carrier’s “most important and valuable customers.” If all goes according to plan, the deal will close within six months — or by the beginning of August — thus giving Aeromexico full control of those “important and valuable” customers just as it emerges a stronger, restructured airline from the coronavirus pandemic. The sale is subject to Mexican antitrust approval. “This is an important milestone in the Aeroméxico restructuring process and marks a major step forward as we continue our complete transformation of the Aeroméxico customer experience,” said Aeromexico CEO Andres Conesa Tuesday.<br/>