Trans Maldivian Airways’ major shareholder Carlyle Group as well as other investors in the seaplane operator are reportedly considering selling the business, a deal that could be worth up to US$700 million.
Majority stakeholder Carlyle Group is leading initial talks with potential advisors for the divestment of Trans Maldivian, reports Bloomberg, citing sources who wish to remain undisclosed.
Carlyle Group and co-investors King Street Capital Management and Davidson Kempner Capital Management have valued the transaction at US$500-700 million, says Bloomberg.
Other companies in the industry and investment funds have shown preliminary interest in buying the business, it reports.
Considerations are ongoing and no final decision has been made as the owners could still decide to retain the airline, it adds.
Trans Maldivian is the Maldives’ oldest air service operator and the world’s largest seaplane operator with 57 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Twin Otters, according to its website.
A Carlyle Group spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Smart Aviation Asia Pacific today.
Trans Maldivian, like many international travel-related businesses, was very adversely affected by the downturn in passenger traffic caused by the pandemic, but its business rebounded sooner than many others.
A Trans Maldivian official told Smart Aviation Asia Pacific on 8 October 2020 that nearly all the airline’s 57 Twin Otter seaplanes were operating, much earlier than most airlines at that time.
Picture Source: Wikipedia Commons User Gzzz
Related Stories:
Trans Maldivian Twin Otter Hits Resort (16 November 2021)
Accident Report Into Maldives Seaplane Crash Raises Concerns That Deteriorating Skills Of Furloughed Pilots May Pose Safety Risk (1 October 2021)
Tourism In The Maldives Slowly Recovering (8 October 2020)
