DAE, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, said the bonds will be used for general corporate purposes. Courtesy Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
DAE, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, said the bonds will be used for general corporate purposes. Courtesy Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
DAE, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, said the bonds will be used for general corporate purposes. Courtesy Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
DAE, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies, said the bonds will be used for general corporate purposes. Courtesy Dubai Aerospace Enterprise

Dubai-based plane lessor DAE issues $1bn of bonds


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), the Middle East’s biggest plane lessor, said it issued $1 billion in bonds due in August 2024, making it the company's second debt issuance this year.

"The net proceeds from the notes will be used for general corporate purposes including redemption of certain outstanding debt securities issued by DAE," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

In February, DAE's chief executive Firoz Tarapore told The National that DAE may raise more funds if the conditions are right after it issued $2.25bn of new bonds to repay debt and to fund its growth.

The company raised $1.25bn in a two-tranche sale of unsecured bonds in January. It also sold $750 million in Islamic bonds, or sukuk, in November 2020.

Governments and companies in the Gulf have tapped debt markets in an effort to shore up their finances amid the pandemic.

GCC issuers are on track to issue $125bn worth of bonds this year, in line with the total for last year, according to estimates by Franklin Templeton.

DAE, which posted a decline in first-quarter profit, is expecting business to pick up on the back of a faster pace of vaccination roll-out over the next six months.

Earlier this month, credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service revised DAE's outlook to stable from negative and affirmed its Baa3 issuer rating, citing the company's strong liquidity position and capital management as well as signs of recovery in air travel.

The Dubai-based plane lessor's total available liquidity was $3.3bn in the first quarter, compared to $2.7bn at the end of December 31, 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents grew to $717.4m at the end of the quarter, from $577.3m in the same quarter last year.

Its net debt-to-equity ratio was 2.65 times at the end of the quarter, compared to 2.57 times at the end of last year.

DAE is one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies with offices in a number of countries. The company had a total owned, managed and committed fleet of 377 aircraft as of March 31.

Britain's travel restrictions
  • A negative test 2 days before flying
  • Complete passenger locator form
  • Book a post-arrival PCR test
  • Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
  • 11 countries on red list quarantine

     
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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From exhibitions to the battlefield

In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.