KUALA LUMPUR: Most of AirAsia X Bhd (AAX)’s lessors support a restructuring plan, and the Malaysian airline has received interest from potential investors for fundraising after reorganization, court documents filed this month show.
In emails attached to the court filings, supportive lessors said they wanted to continue discussions with the budget airline and potential new investors, seeking more equitable terms and new commercial arrangements.
The affidavits come after more than a dozen creditors filed to intervene with its proposed court-supervised restructuring, with lessor BOC Aviation Ltd. and airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd arguing that AAX is “hopelessly insolvent.”
Planemaker Airbus also filed a lawsuit last month saying it could lose more than $5 billion worth of aircraft orders if the low-cost, long-haul carrier proceeded with the plan.
AAX’s senior legal counsel, Shereen Ee, said in court documents seen by Reuters that 15 out of 20 aircraft lessors were not in favor of AAX liquidating, and three other interveners – Airbus, Rolls-Royce Group and BNP Paribas – were “not objecting” to the restructuring plan.
Lessors in favor of a restructuring include Macquarie Aircraft Leasing Services and Aircastle, according to the documents. Rolls-Royce, Macquarie Aircraft Leasing Services and Aircastle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
An Airbus spokesman declined to comment, saying that the company was continuing discussions but that the details are confidential. AirAsia X also declined to comment.
BNP Paribas – which is a trustee acting on a creditor’s instructions – declined to comment.
Aircastle Asia Pacific executive vice president Nigel Harwood told AAX in an email that his firm was not seeking liquidation of the airline, according to the court filings.
“We look forward to working with you to arrive at a revised commercial arrangement once we understand your future business plan with the introduction of new investors,” he said.
Macquarie’s email said it was willing to support a recapitalized AAX and make a restructured lease agreement on condition that the airline has a detailed business plan, credible third-party investors and that lessors have a meaningful say, according to the filings.
AAX said it had received 10 letters from Malaysian and Singaporean corporations and high net worth individuals indicating interest to participate in its proposed fundraising exercise, according to an affidavit.
The 10 includes Tune Group Sdn Bhd, owned by AirAsia Group Bhd co-founders Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun. Tune is the largest AAX shareholder, with a 17.83 percent stake.
AAX said it also received interest from a public-listed financial group and the subsidiary of another, both preferring to be unnamed.
AAX, an affiliate of AirAsia Group, last month said it planned to raise up to $49.49 million by issuing shares to new investors after its debt restructuring.
The airline is seeking to restructure $15.87 billion of debt. Its accrued debt amounts to $554.28 million, without taking into consideration contingent debts such as its large aircraft order book with Airbus.
Some lessors have argued the Airbus orders should be excluded. However, AAX said the contingent debts must be dealt with and will be reduced by the re-negotiated leases and other commercial contracts.
AAX estimated that lessors that continue with the airline post-restructuring would be able to recover approximately 44 percent-66 percent of their lease rental loss under new agreements.
AirAsia X shows court creditors’ support for restructuring plan
https://arab.news/43f7p
AirAsia X shows court creditors’ support for restructuring plan
- Supportive lessors said they wanted to continue discussions with the budget airline and potential new investors
Saudi economy witnessing a fundamental shift, says minister
RIYADH: Since the launch of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a fundamental shift in its economy and the business environment is transforming with the creation of new sectors, said the Kingdom’s economy minister.
Faisal Al-Ibrahim was speaking at a conference in Riyadh on Wednesday during which he highlighted the fast-evolving business landscape of the Kingdom focused on diversifying its income sources away from oil.
Speaking at the event titled “Industrial policies to promote economic diversification,” the top official said there have been fundamental changes in the legislative and economic regulations to promote sustainable development since the launching of the Vision 2030 plan.
He said the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy have led to the creation of new sectors due to the initiation of several megaprojects such as NEOM, the Red Sea, and others.
“We stand at a crossroads to change the global economy,” Al-Ibrahim said.
He stressed the need for strategies to ensure a flexible and sustainable economy.
“The presence of foreign investments will develop competitiveness in the long term,” the minister affirmed.
The minister also highlighted how the Kingdom was working in the medium term to focus on transforming sectors that represent a technological shift.
Saudi Arabia is keen on achieving development in the medium term by balancing short-term profits and promoting long-term success, Al-Ibrahim highlighted.
Since the launch of the vision, the Ministry of Economy and Planning has conducted several economic studies aimed at diversifying the economy by developing objectives for all sectors, raising complexity levels, and studying emerging economies to enhance the Kingdom’s capabilities.
Saudi Arabia closes April sukuk issuance at $1.97bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has completed its riyal-denominated sukuk issuance for April at SR7.39 billion ($1.97 billion), representing a rise of 66.44 percent compared to the previous month.
The National Debt Management Center revealed that the Shariah-compliant debt product was divided into three tranches.
The first tranche, valued at SR2.35 billion, is set to mature in 2029, while the second one amounting to SR1.64 billion is due in 2031.
The third tranche totaled SR3.51 billion and will mature in 2036.
“The Kingdom also plans to expand funding activities during the year 2024, reaching up to a total of SR138 billion from what has been stated previously in the Annual Borrowing Plan, with a portion of this amount already covered up to date,” said NDMC in a press statement.
It added: “This step comes with the aim of capitalizing on market opportunities to achieve proactive financing for the coming year and utilizing it to bolster the state’s general reserves or seize additional opportunities to enhance transformative spending during this year, thereby accelerating strategic projects and programs of Saudi Vision 2030.”
In March, NDMC concluded its second government sukuk savings round for March, with a total volume of requests reaching SR959 million, allocated to 37,000 applicants.
The center added that the financial product, also known as Sah, offers a return of 5.64 percent, with a maturity date in March 2025.
Earlier this month, Fitch Ratings, in a report, said that global sukuk issuance is expected to continue growing in the coming months of this year, driven by funding and refinancing demands.
The credit rating agency noted that various other factors like economic diversification efforts by countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and development of the debt capital market will also propel the growth of the market in the future.
In January, another report released by S&P Global revealed that sukuk issuance worldwide is expected to total between $160 billion and $170 billion in 2024, driven by higher financing needs in Islamic nations.
The report noted that higher financing needs in some core Islamic finance countries and easing liquidity conditions across the world are two crucial factors which will drive the growth of the market this year.
Closing Bell: TASI edges down to close at 12,355 points
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Wednesday, losing 128.72 points, or 1.03 percent, to close at 12,355.69.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR8.45 billion ($2.25 billion) as 41 of the listed stocks advanced, while 187 retreated.
Similarly, the MSCI Tadawul Index decreased by 14.78 points, or 0.95 percent, to close at 1,548.62.
Also, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu dipped, losing 365.84 points, or 1.37 percent, to close at 26,326.12. This comes as 17 of the listed stocks advanced, while 45 retreated.
The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance as its share price surged by 9.87 percent to SR138.
Other top performers include Al Sagr Cooperative Insurance Co. and First Milling Co., whose share prices soared by 6.38 percent and 5.63 percent, to stand at SR35.85 and SR78.80, respectively.
In addition to this, other top performers included Batic Investments and Logistics Co. and Saudi Research and Media Group.
The worst performer was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price dropped by 7.14 percent to SR0.13.
Other weak performers were National Co. for Learning and Education as well as Arriyadh Development Co., whose share prices dropped by 5.95 percent and 5.91 percent to stand at SR148.60 and SR22.60, respectively.
Moreover, other subdued performers also include Red Sea International Co. and AYYAN Investment Co.
On the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu, the best-performing stock of the day was Osool and Bakheet Investment Co., as its share price surged by 12.05 percent to SR40.90.
Other top performers on Nomu include Arabian Plastic Industrial Co. and Lana Medical Co., with their share prices soaring by 7.42 percent and 3.59 percent, respectively, reaching SR37.65 and SR41.85.
The worst performer was Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology, whose share price dropped by 5.88 percent to SR32.
Other weak performers were Alhasoob Co. as well as Aqaseem Factory for Chemicals and Plastics Co., whose share prices dropped by 3.61 percent and 3.38 percent to stand at SR64.10 and SR62.80, respectively.
On the announcements front, HSBC Saudi Arabia, serving as sole financial advisor, joint bookrunner, underwriter, and lead manager, has announced the intention of Dr. Soliman Abdel Kader Fakeeh Hospital Co., known as Fakeeh Care Group, to proceed with its initial public offering on the main market of Saudi Exchange.
According to a statement, the offering will include 49.8 million ordinary shares, with 19.8 million existing shares and 30 million new shares upon completion.
This offering is set to represent 21.47 percent of the company's share capital post-capital increase.
Saudi Exchange and the Capital Market Authority approved the listing and IPO, respectively, with the pricing of shares to be determined after the book-building period.
Ministry tenders contract for expansion of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ministry has tendered a contract to boost the capacity of Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to 45,000 seats up from its current 22,188.
The expansion project comes as the Kingdom prepares to host the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in 2027, reported MEED.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s plan to build sports stadiums under its SR10.1 billion ($2.7 billion) capital projects program.
The ministry requested proposals on April 8 and expects to receive bids on June 14.
In April, the ministry also tendered an early works contract for the expansion and development of the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
At the time, the scope of the contract included the stadium’s decommissioning, demolition, and bulk excavation, as well as the relocation and setting up of related facilities.
In July 2023, the ministry invited firms to submit pre-qualification documents for the main construction contracts for the schemes in the capital projects program.
The undertakings, which are set for completion before the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, entail increasing the capacity of King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh to 92,000 seats and boosting the seating capacity of Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium to 30,000 seats.
It also includes increasing the seating capacity of the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Kahir to 45,000 and building a sustainable New Riyadh Stadium north of the city with 45,000 seats.
Another main element of the ministry’s projects program is the construction of as many as 30 new training grounds and facilities in proximity to the stadiums that will be used for the 2027 competition.
Construction on the projects is expected to start in July 2024 and scheduled to be completed by December 2025.
A total of 18 facilities will be ready in time for the 2026 AFC Women’s Cup.
PIF-owned ROSHN expands in Eastern Province with new residential project
RIYADH: Saudi developer ROSHN Group has launched its first integrated community, ALDANAH, in the economic hub of Greater Dammam, featuring over 2,500 homes spread across 1.7 million sq. m.
The development, the second in the Eastern Province by the Public Investment Fund-owned giga-project, will cater to nearly 10,000 inhabitants who will benefit from exemplary energy conservation, including modern insulation, according to a press release.
ROSHN highlighted that the project is strategically located in the heart of Greater Dammam, at the meeting point of Dammam, Dhahran, and Al Khobar. It’s conveniently situated next to King Abdulaziz Road and is just a 20-minute drive from King Fahd International Airport.
The project will feature several amenities for residents, including a city experience center, a district mall, and three neighborhood retail centers. It will also include a primary healthcare center, mosques, and six schools, all reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage, the release added.
The company also mentioned that the range of residences will offer a diverse selection of homes suitable for every family, including duplexes and villas tailored specifically for ROSHN’s latest community.
