Home Industry Transport Emirates May Refinance Bond The Gulf airline may refinance a $550 million sukuk, though repayment in cash is still an option. by Reuters May 29, 2012 Emirates, the fast expanding Gulf airline, may seek to refinance a $550 million Islamic bond maturing in June but has not ruled out repayment in cash, a senior executive said on Tuesday. “We are currently considering whether to refinance, and by what product. Cash flow is good and we have the ability to repay if we decide,” Brian Jeffery, senior vice president, corporate treasury told reporters in Dubai. Emirates’ cash balance stood at Dhs15.6 billion ($4.25 billion) as of March 31, 2012. The $550 million sukuk maturing on June 16, was trading at 98 levels on Tuesday. When asked if the airline would refinance the bond with another sukuk issue, Jeffrey said, “The price differential would need to be significant, given our financing programme and other priorities.” Earlier this month Emirates, which is among the 10 biggest airlines in the world by passenger numbers, reported a 72 per cent drop in net profits last year following a steep rise in fuel costs. The ability of regional borrowers to refinance upcoming debt has been in focus as European banks, behind much of the loan activity in the Gulf in recent years, pull back as a result of funding pressures created by the Eurozone crisis. But while Western banks have stepped back from lending into the region local banks are playing a bigger role in addressing the Gulf’s refinancing needs. Tags Breaking News 0 Comments You might also like 19 injured after fire breaks out in a building in Abu Dhabi Two killed and over 100 injured in Abu Dhabi gas explosion Dubai’s DIFC Authority To Split Into Two Entities Syrian Defence Minister Killed