Virgin Australia welcomes Singapore Airlines as investor, agrees to Tiger JV, Skywest buy

Tuesday 30th October 2012

Oct. 30 (BusinessDesk) - Virgin Australia, which competes with Qantas Airways in the Australian aviation market, will place 10 percent of its shares with Singapore Airlines for A$105 million, using most of the funds to buy a 60 percent stake in Tiger Airways and all of Skywest Airlines.

The deals will lift Virgin Australia's fleet to 139 from 108 and add 10 new destinations in Western Australia and allow the airline to re-enter the budget leisure market with Tiger.

The transactions will strengthen the airline as it battles Qantas at home and abroad. Singapore Airlines will join Etihad and Air New Zealand as shareholders.

Virgin Australia will issue 245.6 million shares to Singapore Airlines at an issue price of 42.88 cents apiece. It will acquire a two-third stake in Tiger Airways Australia, with Tiger Airways Holdings retaining 40 percent, for an upfront payment of A$35 million and an extra A$5 million if certain performance targets are met.

The two partners will invest a further A$62.5 million in the business to expand its operations.

Virgin Australia also agreed to acquire 100 percent of Skywest at 45 Australian cents a share, made up of 22.5 cents in cash and 0.53 new Virgin shares for every Skywest share. The upfront cash paid would be A$47 million.

Virgin Australia will have A$23 million in proceeds left over from the Singapore Airlines placement. The Tiger and Skywest deals are scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2013.

Tiger Airways Holdings is one-third owned by Singapore Airlines.

Virgin Australia shares last traded at 46 Australian cents on the ASX and have gained 61 percent this year. Singapore Airlines was last at S$10.54, down 5 percent this year. Qantas last traded at A$1.34 and has fallen 7.9 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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