Government backing continues for Air New Zealand

The Crown Standby Loan Facility made available to Air New Zealand in March 2020 has been extended to a debt facility of up to NZ$1.5 billion available to September 27, 2023 (an extra 16 months), reports Xinhua news agency. 

The interest rate will be adjusted to reflect current market conditions.

Air New Zealand is majority owned by the government of New Zealand, with the remainder of shares being traded on both the New Zealand Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange.

The national airline has decided to defer its planned equity capital raise until September 30, 2021. 

This will give them more time to assess market conditions. 

As previously stated, the Crown wants to remain a majority shareholder and will participate in the raise, subject to Cabinet approval of the terms.

Robertson said the amendment to the loan facility allows Air New Zealand to benefit from the increased activity as borders re-open and travel and trade movements increase.

"The Crown's role as majority shareholder has been a major source of stability for the national airline during a very difficult time.

"As a result, our national carrier is in a much stronger position than many airlines around the world. We need that strength to be retained because we need a national airline to support economic development and provide access to international markets, and to enable the international tourism we're beginning to see emerge with the opening of the Trans-Tasman bubble.

"We also need a national airline to provide a domestic network that allows people to be where they want to be across New Zealand and gets goods where they are needed," Robertson said.

The Crown Standby Loan Facility was a measure that provided the time for Air New Zealand to reposition its operations and facilitate the implementation of an optimal long-term capital structure. 

The amended loan agreement retains this expectation and the provision of the conversion of the loan to equity at the request of the Crown.

Air New Zealand's intention is that all amounts outstanding under the facility will be repaid from the proceeds of its proposed capital raise.