KBRA Assigns AA Rating to Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, FL Tampa International Airport Revenue Bonds, 2024 Series B (AMT); Affirms Related Ratings

KBRA assigns a long-term rating of AA to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, FL Tampa International Airport Revenue Bonds, 2024 Series B (AMT). KBRA additionally affirms the long-term ratings of AA for the Authority's outstanding Tampa International Airport Revenue Bonds and the long-term rating of AA- for the Authority's outstanding Tampa International Airport Subordinated Revenue Bonds. The rating Outlook is Stable.

Key Credit Considerations

The rating actions reflect the following key credit considerations:

Credit Positives

• Broad and growing air trade area economy and healthy population growth support increasing demand for air travel, while the strictly O&D nature of airport activity confers stability.
• Diverse carrier mix with existing airlines continuing to strategically add new domestic and international routes, which is supportive of continued enplanement growth.
• Airline costs are competitive.

Credit Challenges

• Multi-phase CIP entails significant additional borrowing.
• Somewhat less operational certainty created by a rates by resolution framework, though TPA’s strong post-pandemic recovery, diverse carrier mix, and economically robust air trade area serve as mitigating factors.

Rating Sensitivities

For Upgrade

• Completion of capital program on time and within budget accompanied by a continuation of the strong trend in passenger enplanements observed in the several years preceding the pandemic.

For Downgrade

• Cost overruns or delays associated with the large capital improvement program.
• Trend of weakened liquidity levels and/or debt metrics.

To access rating and relevant documents, click here.

Methodologies

• Public Finance: U.S. General Airport Revenue Bond Rating Methodology
• ESG Global Rating Methodology

Disclosures

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

Doc ID: 1005297

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240730062141/en/