Press Release|Public Finance
KBRA Assigns A- with Stable Outlook to Monterey Peninsula Airport District Airport Revenue Bonds and TIFIA Loan
3 Sep 2026 | New York
KBRA assigns the rating of A- with a Stable Outlook to the Monterey Peninsula Airport District's (the "District's") Series 2026A (AMT) and Series 2026B (Taxable) Airport Revenue and Refunding Bonds (Monterey Regional Airport Project); and to the 2026 Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act ("TIFIA") Loan. The Series 2026A and 2026B airport revenue and refunding bonds will be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority on behalf of the District.
Key Credit Considerations
The rating was assigned because of the following key credit considerations:
Credit Positives
- Robust growth in passenger traffic, notably in the post-pandemic environment.
- Stable financial operations, characterized by sound operating performance and healthy liquidity.
- Historically low leverage, the result of capital investments funded with non-debt sources.
Credit Challenges
- Expected, significant increase in debt following implementation of the SEP Projects.
- Relatively small enplanement base that is subject to volatility given the nature of the market.
Rating Sensitivities
For Upgrade
- Completion of the CIP on-time and under budget, coupled with lower than projected airline costs as a result of enplanement growth that outperforms budget.
- Stronger than projected non-airline revenues, including both PFC and CFC collections, which help to significantly moderate future airline rates and charges.
For Downgrade
- Material delay or cost escalation in the CIP that pressures financial metrics and debt requirements.
- An unexpected, sustained decline in passenger enplanements that negatively impacts operating performance, liquidity, DSC and/or airline costs.
To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.