L-R: Richard Hough (ELFC), Joanne Tan, Vivien Guo (BNP Paribas), Billy Mayberry (Virgin Australia), Arnaud Cadilhon, David Maisant, Anna Tsoi (CACIB), Gemma Patterson, Dale Rayner (Mallesons).
Mallesons is pleased to announce that a transaction on which it advised the financiers has been named Asia-Pacific Overall Deal of the Year at the Airline Economics Asia-Pacific Aviation 100 Awards 2026.
The award recognises the Australian dollar-denominated sustainability-linked syndicated financing facility supporting nine new Boeing 737-8 aircraft for Virgin Australia. The transaction is among the first general syndications of a sustainability-linked aircraft financing in Asia Pacific.
The loan terms are linked to sustainability performance targets around carbon emissions reductions. The new aircraft deliver around a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared with the models they replace.
Mallesons acted for Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB) and BNP Paribas (BNPP), the mandated lead arrangers for the transaction.
The Mallesons team was led by Partner Dale Rayner and included Senior Associates Blake Sherry, Selena Liu and Gemma Patterson. Partner Scott Heezen, with support from Solicitor Fiona Pyliotis, advised the financiers on tax.
Commenting on the award, Partner Dale Rayner said:
“It is a thrill to see this transaction recognised as Asia-Pacific Overall Deal of the Year. It set a benchmark for how sustainability-linked features can be built into broadly syndicated aircraft financing in the region. We thank CACIB and BNP Paribas for the opportunity to work alongside them, and congratulate Virgin Australia on the recognition.”
