MANILA, Philippines–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) announced today that it has entered into a series of agreements with substantially all of the Company�s lenders, lessors, and aircraft and engine suppliers, as well as its majority shareholder, to allow the Company to successfully restructure and reorganize its finances to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and emerge as a leaner and better-capitalized airline.
The restructuring plan, which is subject to court approval, provides over US$2.0 Billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors and allows the airline to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25% and includes US$505 Million in long-term equity and debt financing from PALs majority shareholder and US$150 Million of additional debt financing from new investors.
As part of the agreements with key stakeholders, the Company has voluntarily filed for a pre-arranged restructuring under the U.S. Chapter 11 process in the Southern District of New York to implement the consensual restructuring plan. PAL will also complete a parallel filing for recognition in the Philippines under the Financial Insolvency and Rehabilitation (FRIA) Act of 2010.
PAL will continue to operate flights in the normal course of business in accordance with safety regulations, and the Company expects to continue to meet its current financial obligations throughout this process to employees, customers, the government, and its lessors, lenders, suppliers, and other creditors.
We welcome this major breakthrough, an overall agreement that enables PAL to remain the flag carrier of the Philippines and the premier global airline of the country, one that is better equipped to execute strategic initiatives and sustain the Philippines vital global air links to the world. We are grateful to our lenders, aviation partners and other creditors for supporting the plan, which empowers PAL to overcome the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic that has significantly disrupted businesses in all sectors, especially aviation, and emerge stronger for the long-term, said Dr. Lucio C. Tan, PAL Chairman and CEO.
Following the recent celebration of our 80th anniversary, we move forward with renewed confidence, as todays actions enable us to continue serving our customers and the Philippine economy long into the future. I would also like to recognize the incredible dedication of our employee teams around the world, who have continued to deliver the highest quality of service through these trying times, added Gilbert F. Santa Maria, PAL President & Chief Operating Officer.
Business operations to continue as usual during restructuring
PAL is committed to maintaining business continuity throughout the restructuring process especially with respect to employees, customers, suppliers, commercial partners, and local communities and anticipates receiving the requisite approvals from the U.S. Court to facilitate the following:
Filing Entities
Philippine Airlines Inc. is the only party included in the Chapter 11 filing; while PAL Holdings Inc., which is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PHI), and Air Philippines Corporation, known as PAL Express, are not included in the Chapter 11 filing.
Additional Information
Additional resources for customers and other stakeholders, and other information on PALs filings, can be accessed by visiting the Companys restructuring website at www.PALrecovery.com. Court filings and other documents related to the Chapter 11 process in the U.S. are available on a separate website administered by PALs claims agent, KCC, at www.kccllc.net/PAL. Information is also available by calling (866) 967-0671 (U.S./Canada) or (310) 751-2671 (International).
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP and Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRA) are acting as legal advisors and Seabury Securities LLC as financial advisor and investment banker to the Company.
About Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines and the countrys only full-service network airline. PAL was the first commercial airline in Asia and marked its 80th anniversary in March 2021. PALs young fleet of Boeing 777s, Airbus A350s, Airbus A330s, Airbus A321s and De Havilland DHC Q400 aircraft operate out of hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao to 29 destinations in the Philippines and 32 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. PAL was rated a 4-Star Global Airline by Skytrax in 2018 and a 5-Star Major Airline by the Association of Airline Passengers (APEX) in 2020, and was likewise voted the Worlds Most Improved Airline in the 2019 Skytrax worldwide passenger survey with a ranking of 30th best airline in the world.
Corporate Communications Department, 3rd Flr Mezzanine, PNB Financial Center, Diosdado Macapagal Ave., CCP Complex, Pasay City
Contacts
Media Contacts
PAL Corporate Communications (Manila)
corpcomms@pal.com.ph
Edelman (New York)
PhilippineAirlines@edelman.com
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