Allen & Overy LLP has advised a syndicate of banks on landmark USD625 million sustainability-linked loan transaction for CDB Aviation. This is the industry’s first major sustainability-linked syndicated term loan facility for an aircraft lessor.
The A&O team was led by Global Head of Aviation Paul Nelson who was supported by senior associate Evgenia Erakhtina and associate Sabrina Chong.
Paul Nelson commented: “We are grateful for the confidence the finance parties and CDB placed in us to advise on this landmark transaction. This is the latest advancement in our award winning aviation sustainability practice and again demonstrates our commitment to supporting our aviation clients in meeting their sustainability objectives”.
The terms of the financing are linked to CDB Aviation meeting Sustainability Performance Targets based on the following three KPIs:
- reducing the carbon intensity of CDB Aviation’s fleet;
- increasing the share of new generation aircraft in the lessor’s fleet, pursuing its target to reach 60% of new generation aircraft (by number of aircraft) by the end of 2025; and
- increasing the level of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related trainings for the workforce.
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank acted as Sole Sustainability Agent.
