Lufthansa announced on Sunday, September 19, it would launch a capital increase that was expected to raise €2.14 billion (US$2.51 billion) to pay back part of a state bailout Germany’s top airline received during the coronavirus crisis.
The subscription period for the widely-expected rights issue, involving the issue of about 597.7 million new shares, would run from September 22 to October 5, Lufthansa stated.
The airline will use the net proceeds to repay a chunk of the €9 billion government bailout it received last year to stay afloat throughout the COVID pandemic, which resulted in the Economic Stabilisation Fund taking a stake in the group.
“We have always made it clear that we will only retain the stabilisation package for as long as it is necessary,” Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said.
“We are therefore proud that we can now deliver on our promise and repay the measures faster than originally expected. We can now fully focus on the further transformation of the Lufthansa Group,” he said.
Lufthansa stated that based on its operating performance in July and August it expected to post positive adjusted earnings before interest and tax in the third quarter.
Insiders told Reuters this year that Lufthansa was planning a capital increase of roughly €3 billion, but Spohr has said lower pension liability had reduced the need for fresh capital in the past months.
A number of funds under the management of Blackrock have entered into a sub-underwriting agreement for a total of €300 million as part of the capital increase and have committed to fully exercise their subscription rights, Lufthansa stated.
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
DOJ and FTC Introduce Website for Reporting Anti-Competitive Healthcare Practices
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
US Congress Advances Legislation to Compel TikTok Sale
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Financial Sector Advocates Enhanced Regulatory Accountability
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google and All 50 States Defend $700 Million Consumer Settlement
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Colorado Enacts First Law to Protect Consumer Brainwave Data
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI