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Monroe (County of) FL -- Moody's assigns initial Baa2 rating to Key West International Airport's (FL) Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2022; outlook stable

Rating Action: Moody's assigns initial Baa2 rating to Key West International Airport's (FL) Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2022; outlook stableGlobal Credit Research - 15 Aug 2022New York, August 15, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned an initial Baa2 rating to the Key West International Airport's ("EYW" or "the airport") $39.7 million Airport Revenue Bonds (Key West International Airport), Series 2022 (AMT). The rating outlook is stable. RATINGS RATIONALEThe assignment of a Baa2 rating to the Key West's Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 reflects the airport's strong traffic recovery, supported by pent-up demand for domestic tourist destinations and the incorporation of the airlines Allegiant Travel Company (Ba3 stable) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (Ba2 stable) to the airport's operations. In fiscal year 2021, enplanements were 94% and 39% higher than in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Between January and June 2022, traffic was approximately 50% above the levels registered in the same period in 2019. The use agreement between EYW and all the airlines operating at the airport entails a minimum annual commitment that enhances the predictability of cash flows. Moreover, Moody's incorporates into its assessment the demonstrated support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT, Aa2 stable) in the form of grants for capital investment projects. FDOT is providing a grant for approximately 35% of the design and construction of a new concourse.The rating is constrained by the airport's small size and low enplanement levels relative to peers at the same rating category. Key West Airport's credit profile is susceptible to high volatility in enplanements given its small service area and concentration in tourism. While the airport exhibits a strong and rapid demand rebound after times of contraction, its traffic profile is highly volatile. Moody's cautions that the traffic growth experienced in 2021 will likely not be sustainable because of labor shortages that may affect seat capacity and a normalization of demand. Going forward, Moody's expects enplanement levels more in line with those registered historically.After the bond issuance Moody's expects an average Net Revenue Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of around 2.25x and Adjusted Debt per O&D Enplanement of approximately $83 over the 2025-2027 period. The Airport Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 will be used to partially finance the design and construction of a new concourse that is expected to be completed by 2025. Moody's expects the new concourse to enhance revenue due to the new concession space and passenger boarding bridge charges. The debt service for the proposed issuance does not start until 2025, which provides an adequate cushion for cash flow generation while the new facilities are under construction. Balancing this credit strength, the signatory agreement expires in 2026, only one year after debt service is set to commence. Moody's anticipates that, apart from the new concourse, the airport's capital investment plan will include only minor works that will be financed on a pay as you go basis with grants and airport funds, limiting the potential for increased leverage.RATING OUTLOOKThe stable outlook reflects Moody's view that EYW will manage its liquidity and capital plan in a prudent manner to reflect changes in economic or operational conditions and not exceeding the expected leverage levels.FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OF THE RATINGBetter than expected enplanement levels and cash accumulation that on a sustained basis result in:- Days cash on hand above 500 days;- Total net revenue DSCR above 2.5x;- Leverage with adjusted debt per O&D passenger declining below $75.FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGDecrease in enplanements or cost overruns related to the capital plan, or both, that on a sustained basis result in higher leverage and deteriorated liquidity such that:- Days cash on hand is below 300 days;- Total net revenue DSCR is below 1.5x;- Adjusted debt per O&D passenger is above $100.LEGAL SECURITYThe bonds are secured by a first lien on net airport revenues. The rate covenant requires that airline rates and charges be set to achieve at least 125% coverage of annual debt service. The provisions include an additional bonds test equal to 1.25x maximum annual debt service. Bonds are additionally protected by a debt service reserve sized to the lesser of a standard 3-prong test.USE OF PROCEEDSThe proceeds of the Series 2022 Bonds, together with other legally available funds, will be used to: (1) finance capital investments (2) refinance all amounts outstanding under an existing line of credit, (3) fund the Reserve Account, (4) pay capitalized interest and (5) issuance costs.PROFILEKey West International Airport is a FAA small-hub owned by Monroe County (FL) and operated as a separate enterprise fund of the County. The airport is located within the city limits of Key West, Monroe County, Florida and covers approximately 268 acres.METHODOLOGYThe principal methodology used in this rating was Publicly Managed Airports and Related Issuers published in March 2019 and available at https://ratings.moodys.com/api/rmc-documents/60106. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on https://ratings.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.REGULATORY DISCLOSURESFor further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found on https://ratings.moodys.com/rating-definitions.For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the issuer/deal page for the respective issuer on https://ratings.moodys.com.The rating has been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.This rating is solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website https://ratings.moodys.com.Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://ratings.moodys.com/documents/PBC_1288235.At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action (s) announced and described above.The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on https://ratings.moodys.com.The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the UK and is endorsed by Moody's Investors Service Limited, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5FA under the law applicable to credit rating agencies in the UK. Further information on the UK endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on https://ratings.moodys.com.Please see https://ratings.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.Please see the issuer/deal page on https://ratings.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Ursula Cassinerio Lead Analyst Project Finance Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 7 World Trade Center 250 Greenwich Street New York 10007 JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Kurt Krummenacker Additional Contact Project Finance JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 © 2022 Moody’s Corporation, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Moody’s Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, “MOODY’S”). All rights reserved.CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE THEIR CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY’S (COLLECTIVELY, “PUBLICATIONS”) MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODY’S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE APPLICABLE MOODY’S RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODY’S CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS (“ASSESSMENTS”), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY’S ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. 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MCO and Moody’s Investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moody’s Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading “Investor Relations — Corporate Governance — Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy.”Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY’S affiliate, Moody’s Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody’s Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to “wholesale clients” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY’S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a “wholesale client” and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to “retail clients” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY’S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors.Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. (“MJKK”) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody’s Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody’s SF Japan K.K. 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MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY100,000 to approximately JPY550,000,000.MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. ​

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