Virgin Atlantic seeks rescue approval as cash running out

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. told a London court that it will run out of cash next month unless it secures approval for a 1.2 billion-pound ($1.6 billion) rescue package announced in July.

Without the funds, available cash will drop to about 49 million pounds by late September, below the 75 million pounds specified in bondholder contracts, Virgin told a judge Tuesday. That would require the sale of Heathrow airport slots against which the bonds are secured, forcing the carrier to fold.

Virgin Atlantic said it obtained an order from the court to convene four creditor meetings on Aug. 25 to vote on the restructuring as part of a process that will bind all debt classes to the rescue plan. The carrier said that creditors in three of the groups have agreed in advance to back it.

“With support already secured from the majority of stakeholders, it’s expected that the restructuring plan and recapitalization will come into effect in September,” a spokeswoman said. “We remain confident in the plan.”

The restructuring must be approved at a hearing scheduled for Sept. 2, after the creditor meetings, or will be placed into administration mid-month with any assets sold, David Allison, a lawyer for the company, told the court.

Virgin Atlantic unveiled the rescue plan on July 14 after the coronavirus crisis shut down flights and the carrier was told that its credit ratings disqualified it from support through a state-backed loans program.

Under the proposals, U.S. hedge fund Davidson Kempner Capital Management will provide about 170 million pounds in secured financing, while Branson himself will contribute 200 million pounds after raising money from space venture Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.

The plan also includes 450 million pounds of creditor deferrals and 400 million pounds of payment delays or waivers from Branson’s Virgin Group and co-owner Delta Air Lines Inc.

Virgin proposals for the creditor groups:

• A fully drawn $280 million revolving credit facility secured against aircraft and engines will become a term loan with a longer maturity and a margin that’s 1% higher. One engine will be freed up to be used as security for a new $30 million facility.
• Plane-leasing firms that own 24 Virgin jets will be offered three options: a 15% cut in fees until September next year at least, an 80% reduction for the full term, or the termination of leases and the return of aircraft in their current condition.
• So-called connected creditors including 49% shareholder Delta will get preference shares in return for capitalization of money owed.
• Trade creditors will take a 20% haircut, with 10% of the remaining balance paid in cash and the rest in quarterly sums through September 2022. Suppliers of goods and services critical to Virgin, such as airports, will be exempt from the proposals.