A US$700m landmark finance deal struck by Etihad Airways Partners (EAP) to fund expansion has been recognised by the prestigious market intelligence organisation International Financing Review (IFR) with a leading global award.
The five-year deal was judged the Emerging Europe Middle East and Africa
Bond of the Year. The award will be presented at a gala dinner in London on 27
January.
In September, Etihad Airways embarked on an international roadshow with
lead advisor Goldman Sachs to raise equity from the market for the airline, its
subsidiary Etihad Airport Services and five of its strategic airline partners –
airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia and Jet Airways – within Etihad
Airways Partners.
Through the funding vehicle Etihad Airways Partners BV, the group
successfully raised US$500m, rising within days by a further US$200m following a
surge in interest from the international finance community.
Seen
as the first joint financing deal of its kind in the airline industry, it’s the second time within weeks that
the ground-breaking initiative has been recognised. Etihad Airways Partners was
presented with the Middle East Debt Financing Deal of the Year Award in London by
UK-based publication Global Transport Finance.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways,
said: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do across all our business
operations at Etihad Airways and our partners. This latest award from International
Financing Review demonstrates the confidence financial institutions have had in
our successful and unique business model that truly is all about creating
synergies between the businesses we have invested in.”
Added Mr Hogan: “In our highly competitive business environment, it’s
all about improving productivity and increasing efficiency to spearhead growth.
Individually, each of the partners is building an increasingly strong
business. But together, that strength is multiplied. This successful transaction
recognises and endorses that strength.
“I would like to thank and congratulate our Chief Financial Officer
James Rigney and his team for their diligent efforts in putting together a robust
and innovative transaction that attracted a strong appetite from the markets.
They worked tremendously hard to create a buzz about our unique strategy and we
are extremely delighted to see this landmark transaction earning such accolades
globally, particularly at a time when markets were sceptical about funding in
challenging economic conditions.”
Martin Weber, Goldman
Sachs Managing Director, said: “We were delighted to work with Etihad Airways
Partners on its inaugural bond issuance and congratulate the team involved for
winning this IFR award. We credit Etihad Airways’ management on the time it
spent speaking with investors across the globe, which meant we were able to
execute this very successful transaction. It is also indicative of the unique
business model this deal will support which impressed the markets, despite the
volatile market conditions at the time.”
The EAP funding roadshows were held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London
supported by lead advisors Goldman Sachs, UAE-based ADS Securities and Anoa
Capital. The raised funds, to be split across the seven entities, are for a
mixture of capital expenditure and investment in fleet, as well as for
refinancing, depending on each business unit’s individual needs.
International Financing Review is the world’s leading source of capital
markets intelligence, providing senior investment banking decision-makers with
commentary and analysis on trends and industry news, and developments through
its weekly publication and daily online reports.
Etihad Airways’ management was credited by IFR for undertaking a highly
successful road show in the run up to the deal, securing the confidence and
support of investors.
Considered the most prestigious event in the global capital markets
calendar, more than 1,000 of the world’s most senior and successful investment
banking professionals will gather in London next month to celebrate capital
markets excellence at the IFA’s annual awards.