Avianca Announces Internal Investigation Into Allegations Disclosed In Airbus’s Recent Settlement With US, UK And French Authorities

Bogotá, February 3, 2020.    Subsequent to the recently announced settlement between Airbus SE (“Airbus”) and authorities in France, the UK, and the United States regarding corrupt business practices at Airbus, Avianca announced today that it has retained the services of Ropes & Gray, a leading international law firm, to conduct an independent internal investigation into its relationship with Airbus and whether it has been the victim of wrongdoing.

Avianca will take all legal actions necessary to defend the interests of the Company and its shareholders, and will fully collaborate with all of the relevant authorities in France, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries as appropriate.

“Airbus’s disclosure contains deeply concerning information regarding alleged actions by an individual at Avianca in the period prior to March 2016. Our current management team strongly rejects any conduct that does not reflect integrity and transparency in business in general, and in particular towards Avianca. We will take all steps necessary to defend the Company’s interests, working together with the relevant authorities,” emphasized Anko van der Werff, President and CEO of Avianca Holdings.