RIGA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Latvian national carrier airBaltic has successfully placed a 200-million-euro bond issue, the largest ever launched by a Latvian company, airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss said on Wednesday.
By raising capital from more than 100 investors from 25 countries, airBaltic has improved its liquidity and is now stronger than ever, said Gauss, noting that the search for a strategic investor is still ongoing.
The bond issue will boost the company's development and lead to its further purchases of new aircraft for the airBaltic fleet, Gauss added.
To sell the 200-million-euro issue 6.75 percent 5-year bonds, the airBaltic management team together with J.P. Morgan and SEB banks, hosted a six-day roadshow, meeting investors in all three Baltic capitals, London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva and Helsinki, said airBaltic.
"This is a historic milestone for our airline, not only have we issued the largest bond of any company in the history of Latvia, airBaltic also became the first airline in Central and Eastern Europe to access the international debt capital markets with a Eurobond offering," said Gauss. "Investors have clearly shown that they see airBaltic's strategy as mature and strong."
The airBaltic bonds will be listed on Euronext Dublin.
