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SAS Capital/Financing Update 2022

Aug 14, 2022

2961_iss_2022-08-14_ef6572ff-6a2b-4ff0-b55c-bca404daa0a5.html

Capital/Financing Update

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SAS Secures USD 700 Million in Debtor-in-Possession Financing

SAS Secures USD 700 Million in Debtor-in-Possession Financing

SAS AB ("SAS" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a debtor-in

-possession ("DIP") financing credit agreement for USD 700 million (the

equivalent of approximately SEK 7.0 billion) with funds managed by Apollo Global

Management ("Apollo"). DIP financing is a specialized type of bridge financing

used by businesses that are restructuring through a chapter 11 process. The DIP

financing, along with cash generated from the Company's ongoing operations,

enables SAS to continue meeting its obligations throughout the chapter 11

process. The DIP financing is subject to approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court

for the Southern District of New York (the "Court"). The DIP financing is

structured as a delayed draw term loan with a nine-month maturity from the

Closing Date. The maturity date can be extended incrementally up to an 18-month

term (see further below). SAS selected Apollo's DIP financing proposal following

a competitive process and considers the terms of the DIP financing to be on

market terms.

"We are pleased to have secured this financing commitment from investment firm

Apollo Global Management, which follows an extensive and competitive process",

says Carsten Dilling, Chairman of the Board of SAS. "With this financing, we

will have a strong financial position to continue supporting our on-going

operations throughout our voluntary restructuring process in the U.S. Apollo

Global Management has a long track record of helping build stronger, more

competitive businesses and extensive experience in the aviation sector. With

their substantial financing commitment, we can now focus entirely on

accelerating the implementation our SAS FORWARD plan, and to continue our more

than 75-year legacy of being the leading airline in Scandinavia."

"SAS is one of Europe's leading airlines and we are pleased to support the

business operations as they implement their restructuring plans to emerge a

stronger company," said Apollo Partner Antoine Munfakh. "At Apollo we have a

wealth of experience in commercial aviation and fully support the comprehensive

SAS FORWARD plan as well as the goals of recapitalizing the Company upon its

emergence from the chapter 11 process."

SAS anticipates receiving Court approval for its DIP financing by mid-September

About Apollo Global Management

Apollo Global Management is a leading alternative asset manager, headquartered

in the U.S. and operating globally. Apollo is listed on the New York Stock

Exchange (NYSE: APO). Apollo has more than three decades of experience investing

in and working with leading management teams to build and transform their

businesses. Apollo provides companies with innovative capital solutions and

support to fund their growth and position businesses for long-term success.

Key Terms for the DIP financing

The DIP financing will be provided by Apollo under a term loan agreement (the

"DIP Term Loan Agreement") by way of non-amortizing senior secured super

-priority debtor-in-possession delayed-draw term loan facility (the "DIP

Facility") in an aggregate principal amount of USD 700 million (the "Total

Aggregate Commitment"), of which USD 350 million will be available following the

Court's approval of the DIP Term Loan Agreement, which is expected to take place

in mid-September, and satisfaction of certain conditions precedent under the DIP

Term Loan Agreement (the "Closing Date"). The remaining USD 350 million will be

available upon the satisfaction of certain other conditions precedent under the

DIP Term Loan Agreement.

Loans under the DIP Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to

adjusted term SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) plus 9.0 percent, payable

in cash or in kind at the borrower's election, which may be increased by 2.0

percent per annum during the continuance of any event of default under the DIP

Term Loan Agreement.

The DIP Term Loan Agreement requires the payment of certain fees to Apollo on

the Closing Date; an upfront fee of 1.0 percent of the Total Aggregate

Commitment, an advisor fee of 1.0 percent of the Total Aggregate Commitment, an

unused commitment fee of 2.0 percent of the unused amount of the Total Aggregate

Commitment per annum and an initial work fee of USD 1 million. Moreover, certain

fees are payable upon the occurrence of specific events, including a break-up

fee of 1.0 percent of the Total Aggregate Commitment, and an exit fee of 4.0

percent of the Total Aggregate Commitment.

Moreover, under the terms of the DIP Term Loan Agreement, in the event Apollo

elects, but is not provided the opportunity, to subscribe for equity interests

of the Company on the effective date of the chapter 11 plan of reorganization

(the "Effective Date"), with the amount of such equity interests calculated

assuming a total enterprise value of the Company of USD 3.2 billion, SAS shall

pay Apollo a fee equal to (a) if such fee event occurs within 12 months of the

Closing Date, USD 19.5 million; or (b) if such fee event occurs after the 12

-month anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount such that Apollo receives an

all-in internal rate of return of 23.2 percent on the DIP financing.

In addition, the DIP Term Loan Agreement requires the payment of a 4.0 percent

fee of the Total Aggregate Commitment in the event Apollo elects, but is not

provided the opportunity, to provide up to 30.0 percent of any new money equity

or equity-like financing for the Company that is provided by any third party on

the Effective Date, on the same terms and conditions made available to any such

third parties.

The DIP Facility matures nine months after the Closing Date, but may be extended

for an additional three-month period, at the election of the Company, up to

three times, subject to the Company paying an escalating extension fee equal to

0.75 percent (first extension), 1.25 percent (second extension) and 1.50 percent

(third extension), respectively, of the Total Aggregate Commitment, together

with any accrued and unpaid interest or expenses.

The obligations of Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark-Norway-Sweden (the

"Consortium") as borrower under the DIP Term Loan Agreement will be entitled to

super priority administrative expense claim status in the chapter 11 process and

will be guaranteed by the Company and all wholly-owned subsidiaries of the

Company that are or become debtors in the chapter 11 process (the "Guarantors").

All amounts owing by the Consortium and the Guarantors under the DIP Term Loan

Agreement will be secured by substantially all property of the Consortium and

the Guarantors, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, now existing

or hereafter acquired (subject to certain customary exclusions), including

certain take-off and landing slots at Heathrow Airport; all shares in certain

entities of the SAS group, including the Consortium and EuroBonus AB (which owns

all rights to the EuroBonus loyalty program); all material registered

intellectual property; certain unencumbered aircraft and engines; intercompany

receivables; and the products and proceeds of the foregoing.

The DIP Term Loan Agreement contains customary covenants, events of default and

representations and warranties. The Company has also undertaken to comply with

certain milestones customary for chapter 11 proceedings.

As previously disclosed by the Company, the SAS FORWARD plan incorporates

raising at least SEK 9.5 billion in a new equity capital as well as reducing or

converting over SEK 20 billion of pre-petition debt, hybrid securities and other

obligations into new shares or other forms of consideration. The Company intends

to conduct a competitive capital raising process to secure the best available

terms and conditions for such equity capital raise in the first half of 2023.

If, pursuant to the equity capital raise process, the Company determines that

allowing Apollo to subscribe for shares as described above is in the best

interests of the Company and its creditors, Apollo would be permitted to convert

its DIP loans into new equity of the Company on the Effective Date, subject to

required approvals (including from regulatory authorities, the Court and the

Company's shareholders). In such case, Apollo has agreed to negotiate with the

Danish State terms and conditions under which the Danish State would acquire up

to USD 250 million of equity interests of the Company associated with Apollo's

conversion of its DIP loans into new equity of the Company.

Because any conversion of the DIP financing commitments may be insufficient to

fully meet the objectives of the equity capital raise, the Company may seek to

raise the additional equity capital required to meet that level. Furthermore,

the Company is the sole party that may negotiate and propose its plan of

reorganization during the exclusivity period under the applicable provisions of

the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, subject to required approvals (including from

regulatory authorities, the Court and the Company's shareholders). Given the

Danish State's expressed interest in possibly participating in the Company's

equity capital raise, the Company intends to work closely with the Danish State

towards accommodating such an investment interest in the context of the equity

capital raise process.

Additional information about the chapter 11 process

As previously announced on July 5, 2022, to accelerate the implementation of its

comprehensive business transformation plan SAS FORWARD, SAS announced that it

had voluntarily filed for chapter 11, a well-established and flexible legal

framework for restructuring businesses with operations in multiple

jurisdictions. Through this process, SAS aims to reach agreements with key

stakeholders, restructure the Company's debt obligations, reconfigure its

aircraft fleet, and emerge with a significant capital injection. SAS expects to

complete its court-supervised process in the U.S. in 9-12 months from the

initiation of the chapter 11 process in July 2022.

Additional information about the Company's voluntary chapter 11 process is

available on the Company's dedicated restructuring website,

https://sasgroup.net/transformation. Court filings and other documents related

to the chapter 11 process in the U.S. are available on a separate website

administered by SAS' claims agent, Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC, at

https://cases.ra.kroll.com/SAS. Information is also available by calling (844)

242-7491 (U.S./Canada) or +1 (347) 338-6450 (International), as well as by email

at [email protected].

Advisors

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as global legal counsel and Mannheimer

Swartling Advokatbyrå AB is serving as Swedish legal counsel to SAS. Seabury

Securities LLC and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB are serving as investment

bankers, Seabury is also serving as restructuring advisor, andFTI Consulting is

serving as financial advisor to SAS.

PJT Partners LP is acting as financial advisor to Apollo. Akin Gump Strauss

Hauer & Feld LLP is acting as legal counsel to Apollo. Watson Farley & Williams

LLP is acting as special aviation counsel to Apollo.

For further information, please contact:

SAS Press office, +46 8 797 29 44

Louise Bergström, VP Investor Relations, +46 70 997 0493

This is information that SAS AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU

Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication by Louise

Bergström at 03:50 a.m. CEST on August 14, 2022.

SAS, Scandinavia's leading airline, with main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and

Stockholm, is flying to destinations in Europe, USA and Asia. Spurred by a

Scandinavian heritage and sustainable values, SAS aims to be the global leader

in sustainable aviation. We will reduce total carbon emissions by 25 percent by

2025, by using more sustainable aviation fuel and our modern fleet with fuel

-efficient aircraft. In addition to flight operations, SAS offers ground

handling services, technical maintenance and air cargo services. SAS is a

founder member of the Star AllianceT, and together with its partner airlines

offers a wide network worldwide. Learn more athttps://www.sasgroup.net

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The press release does not constitute an offer to sell or issue, or the

solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire, or subscribe for, shares or any

other financial instruments in SAS.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect SAS' current

view of future events as well as financial and operational development. These

statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed

by or including words such as "intend", "assess", "expect", "may", "plan",

"estimate" and other expressions involving indications or predictions regarding

future development or trends and other words and terms of similar meaning or the

negative thereof. These forward-looking statements have been prepared for

illustrative purposes only, are not based on historical facts, are not

guarantees of future performance, reflect SAS' beliefs and expectations, and are

subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and other

factors that could cause actual events and performance to differ materially from

any expected future events or performance expressed or implied by such forward

-looking statements. As a result of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and

other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking

statements as a prediction of actual future events or otherwise. The information

contained in this press release is subject to change without notice and, except

as required by applicable law, SAS does not assume any responsibility or

obligation to update publicly or review any of the forward-looking statements

contained in it, whether as a result of new information, future events or

otherwise. Nothing in this press release constitutes or should be construed as

constituting a profit forecast.