Qatar Airways receives financing from bank consortium: Qatar’s flagship carrier has inked a QAR 4.5 bn loan agreement with a consortium of Qatari banks led by Qatar National Bank (QNB), according to a statement (pdf) published last week. Under the agreement, local banks will provide financing in both conventional and Islamic tranches. The timeline was not disclosed.

Who’s involved? QNB led the transaction, acting as book runner, global coordinator and lead arranger. The lending banks include Ahibank, Commercial Bank, Doha Bank, Dukhan Bank, QIB, and QIIB.

Expansion plans in the pipeline: Qatar Airways recently inked a USD 96 bn agreement to acquire160 widebody jets from US manufacturer Boeing, with an option to add 50 more aircraft. The large order — made during Trump’s Gulf tour in May — is expected to cover the airline’s needs until 2045. The airline’s cargo arm also entered an agreement with US-based leasing firm Jetran, LLC for five Mammoth Freighters 777-200LRMF aircraft, making it the first airline to order the new repurposed models.

REMEMBER- The airline is mulling a bond issuance to cover a portion of the mega Boeing order and is in the process of seeking a credit rating to potentially pave the way for the move. The company also intends to use operational cashflows and returns from sale-leaseback transactions to finance the order.

A spate of global acquisitions: The flag carrier received approval from the Australian government for its acquisition of 25% of Virgin Australia in March, snapping up a share from US private equity firm Bain Capital. The company also acquired a 25% stake late last year in South African-based airline Airlink, whose fleet comprises more than 65 aircraft.

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