" . . . newcomers to traditionally monopolistic sectors should expect resistance . . . and take into account . . . long . . . anti-monopolistic battles."
When CLB Corporation moved into the Chilean air cargo transport business there was much publicity about the religious beliefs of its American investors. CLB is domiciled in Salt Lake City, Utah and its directors are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons.
Alpine Air, the Chilean vehicle, is 85% owned by CLB and 15% by a Chilean businessman. The company started operations in mid December 2002 with a fleet of 3 Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. It aimed at the niche market of overnight parcel delivery where, Alpine claimed, there was no one willing or able to operate. Their success was believed to be guaranteed and Jorge Matthei, Alpine Air’s vice-president, confidently stated that both his American business partners and he "had a lot of faith in Chile".
