Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said it has bought back 50% – HK$9.75 billion – of the HK$19.5 billion preference shares that were issued to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government as part of the Cathay Group’s recapitalisation financing in 2020. The Cathay Group also intends to buy back the remaining 50% by the end of July 2024, subject to market conditions and its business operations at the relevant time.
In addition to buying back HK$9.75 billion of the preference shares, the Cathay Group will continue to pay dividends on the remaining preference shares as they fall due. To date, the Cathay Group has disbursed HK$1.97 billion in preference share dividends to the HKSAR Government.
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said: “We are extremely grateful to both the HKSAR Government and to our shareholders for the continued support they have provided both during and since the pandemic. The investment by the Government was essential in supporting the Cathay Group and upholding Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub through the COVID-19 crisis. That we have been able to redeem half of the preference shares is testament to the hard work of our people and the encouraging progress we have made in our journey to rebuild. We will continue to commit ourselves toward our vision to become one of the world’s greatest service brands and the pride of Hong Kong once again.”
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