Etihad Aviation Group And Partners Boost Financing Platform Strategy To US$1.2 Billion

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Airways, Etihad Airport Services, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Alitalia have successfully raised a further US$500 million in a second platform financing transaction, following the success of last year's award-winning bond which raised US$700 million.

A roadshow was announced on Monday, May 16, 2016 to a positive response from the international financial community, followed by the official launch of the transaction a week later on Monday, May 23, 2016.   

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: "With this second successful transaction, the international financial markets have continued to show their belief in the Etihad Airways Partners story.

"Our equity partner strategy is creating a total which is greater than the sum of its parts, a grouping which can work together to improve revenues, reduce costs and uncover exciting new business synergies.

"This transaction shows the strength of that grouping, as well as the strength of the individual members. This second tranche of combined fund-raising is part of our long term capital strategy."

The funds raised by the transaction will be again used largely for capital expenditure and investment in fleet, as well as for refinancing, depending on each individual airline's needs.

During a series of roadshow meetings in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and global investor calls with the London, Asian and European markets, the shared vision and strategies of the airlines were laid out to financial institutions. These highlighted the growing network coordination and revenue development initiatives, coupled with joint procurement and business synergy projects, across the airlines. 

The funds have been raised through a special purpose vehicle, EA Partners II B.V. ADS Securities, Anoa Capital, Goldman Sachs International and Integrated Capital are acting as Placement Agents and Joint Bookrunners.

Etihad Airways was assigned a Long-term Issuer Default Rating of 'A' with a Stable Outlook, by Fitch Ratings.    

Etihad Airways Partners' (EAP) initial platform finance transaction has been recognised in recent months with key awards, namely as Innovative Deal of the Year by Airfinance Journal; as Emerging Europe Middle East and Africa Bond of the Year by the market intelligence organisation International Financing Review (IFR); and as Debt Financing Deal of the Year Middle East by Global Transport Finance. Earlier this month, it was also named Corporate Finance Deal of the Year by the Middle East chapter of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT ME).

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2015 carried 17.6 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, 117 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 122 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a brand that brings together partner airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

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SOURCE Etihad Airways

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