Supporting development strategies and guaranteeing growth margins for a strategic infrastructure in the country's airport system: with this objective UBI Banca led a structured finance operation, together with Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Banca Popolare di Puglia e Basilicata, Banca Popolare Pugliese and Mediocredito Centrale, financing the development plan of Aeroporti di Puglia (AdP) for 60 million euro. The company, which controls the Bari, Brindisi, Foggia and Taranto – Grottaglie airports, is controlled by the Puglia Region with a 99,5 percent stake and benefits from a single concession for all four airports expiring in 2043.
“With the loan for which we are signing the relevant contract today – declares Tiziano Onesti, President of Aeroporti di Puglia – we create the conditions to strengthen the company's financial situation aimed at achieving the long-term objectives defined by our strategic plan. We are talking about investments in infrastructure, internal organization and network development which will make the Apulian airports generators of wealth for the territory even more than they already are. But, in our opinion, there is an even more important aspect to underline: Aeroporti di Puglia's decision to acquire its own financial autonomy entailed the need to compete on the market and verify its level of credibility, reliability and reputational value. The market response, as demonstrated by today's signing, is highly positive and this can only be a reason for great satisfaction for the development of society, for the territory and, ultimately, for the citizens of Puglia".
the financing, lasting 12 years, has the purpose of supporting the investment plan envisaged in the AdP program contract with ENAC 2019-2022 (of approximately 101 million) and to support the development of new routes. AdP has adopted the Strategic Plan with a horizon of 2028 redesigning the development strategies to ensure further growth margins and enhance the “Puglia” brand through the quality of the infrastructure, the attraction of passengers and the interest of carriers in developing air traffic for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
The lines of development concern, in particular, the diversification of the air transport offer, the increase in traffic on European and intercontinental destinations and hubs (Northern Europe, Eastern countries, North America, the Far East), the growth of the Foggia and Grottaglie airports, commercial activities and the improvement of the accessibility of the airport network. Currently the airports of Bari and Brindisi count together 82 direct destinations that are served by 25 airlines, constituting the gateway and exit of south-eastern Italy to the world.
The achievement oftarget of around 2028 million passengers by 11 at the Apulian airports, will allow for optimal use of the accommodation capacity of the Apulian airport infrastructures which already have the necessary potential to satisfy further demand.
In the operation UBI Banca, which underwrote the majority share of the loan, acted as bookrunner and agent bank, coordinating the pool of institutions with a strong presence in the area.
