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Cargo Operator Western Global Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Restructuring plan designed to reduce debt load by $450M.

Western Global bankrupt
A Boeing 747-400 freighter operated by Western Global Airlines approaches Chicago O’Hare International Airport on July 11, 2019. WGA owes the airport authority nearly $200,000 for unpaid fees. [Photo: Shutterstock/Carlos Yudica]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Western Global Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, securing $77 million in financing and planning to reduce its debt by over $450 million.
  • The move comes amid collapsing revenues, heavy debt, and an aging fleet, exacerbated by the end of its Amazon contract.
  • Founder and CEO Jim Neff has reinvested in the company and will forgo some statutory rights to benefit stakeholders, while the airline intends to continue normal operations during the reorganization process.
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Western Global Airlines, which operates chartered cargo jets for the U.S. military and other customers, on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it will restructure with the help of $77 million in financing from creditors, including bondholders with more than 85% of the outstanding senior unsecured notes.

A bankruptcy restructuring has been expected for weeks because of collapsing revenues, a heavy debt load and the decision by credit rating agencies to pull their coverage over the company’s lack of financial transparency. Bloomberg previously reported that Estero, Florida-based Western Global Airlines was arranging debtor-in-possession financing to support ongoing operations under a court-approved bankruptcy plan. 

Eric Kulisch

Eric is the Air Cargo Market Editor at FreightWaves. An award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering the logistics sector, Eric spent nearly two years as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Automotive News, where he focused on regulatory and policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, mobility, fuel economy and safety. He has won two regional Gold Medals from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for government coverage and news analysis, and was voted best for feature writing and commentary in the Trade/Newsletter category by the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. As associate editor at American Shipper Magazine for more than a decade, he wrote about trade, freight transportation and supply chains. Eric is based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached for comments and tips at ekulisch@freightwaves.com

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