BY Fraser Tennant
In a move designed to position the company for long-term growth, air ticket consolidator Mondee Holdings has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to facilitate a series of transactions contemplated under a restructuring support agreement (RSA).
The transactions include a term sheet to sell substantially all of the assets of Mondee to a newly formed entity owned by, among others, affiliates of TCW Asset Management Company LLC and Wingspire Capital LLC.
Should the TCW bid be the successful one, following the closing of the sale, Prasad Gundumogula, co-founder, chairman of the board and previously chief executive, will have a 75 percent equity stake in, and serve as chief executive of, the newly formed entity.
While Mondee pursues a sale of the company to the current bidder or another party with a higher or better offer, its existing secured lenders will continue to provide support throughout the Chapter 11 proceeding by committing to an additional $27.5m financing for operating capital, in addition to the $21.5m of financing recently made available.
Throughout the court-supervised process, Mondee will operate its business as usual and will continue to support its customers and partners without disruption. The Chapter 11 proceedings do not impact Mondee entities in Brazil, Mexico, India and Canada.
“Today’s announcement marks an important step forward for Mondee, our valued customers, partners and our dedicated team as we continue to transform our business for the future,” said Jesus Portillo, chief executive of Mondee. “With a sustainable capital structure and a structured sales process, we will be well-equipped to enhance our leadership in the travel market.”
Additionally, Mondee is in the process of filing first day motions with the bankruptcy court. The relief requested will ensure a smooth transition into Chapter 11 and the ability to maintain normal operations, including Mondee’s commitments to customers and partners and the payment of employee wages and benefits.
Established in 2011 and operating 21 offices globally, Mondee drives change in the leisure and corporate travel sectors through its broad array of innovative solutions. Available both as an app and through the web, the company’s platform processes over 50 million daily searches and generates a substantial transactional volume annually.
Mondee is looking to move expeditiously through the bankruptcy process and emerge from Chapter 11 in the beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
Mr Portillo concluded: “We have taken decisive action to overcome past challenges and are encouraged by employee engagement, organisational culture, and our ability to deliver best-in-class products and services.”