The Spanish government has sold the AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS company to a private Spanish tour operator GRUPO MARSANS. The latter has agreed to take on half of the $1.2 billion debt of the Argentinean carrier and to inject $50 million in order to recapitalise the group. SEPI (Société d'Etat de Participations Industrielles) held 92% of the company, the remaining 8% being held by the employees.