A FINANCING platform under HNA Group Co. is offering investors air tickets rather than cash as repayment, the latest sign of the financial stress the Chinese conglomerate is under despite a slew of asset sales.

Shenzhen-based Qianhai Air & Shipping Exchange, which sells wealth management products to retail investors online, is offering tickets from Hainan Airlines or Grand China Air to repay what it owes, it said in a statement.

The flights can be for both domestic and overseas travel and are valid for five years, according to the statement.

The offer highlights the continuing pressure HNA Group faces as it struggles to reduce one of China’s biggest piles of debt. It has agreed to sell more than US$22 billion in properties and shares this year to stay in business. Its unit HNA Innovation Co. failed to repay 300 million yuan (US$43.2 million) in trust loans due Sept. 10.

“HNA is fully committed to meeting its obligations and we will actively oversee the repayment to all investors as detailed in Qianhai Air and Shipping Exchange’s public filing,” said a HNA spokesperson.

The flight packages are worth 5,000 yuan for investors meant as repayment for their investments.

“Issuers are certainly trying innovative ways to resolve their tight liquidity situation,” said Anne Zhang, executive director for fixed income, currencies and commodities at JPMorgan Private Bank in Hong Kong. “Kudos to their goodwill, although creditors would still appreciate financial means.” (SD-Agencies)