Air India to float tender for B787 financing in Apr-2011

Air India Ltd will reportedly commence the process of financing seven B787s by floating a request for proposal for around INR3.8 billion (USD850 million) in Apr-2011 (Live Mint, 14-Mar-2011). The carrier's B787s are reportedly tentatively scheduled for delivery between Oct-2011 and Mar-2012. The carrier, which has 27 B787s on order, is reportedly considering two fund-raising options - from the market and from the US Export-Import (Exim) Bank. The airline intends to test both financing options to ascertain whether either one or a mix will be less burdensome on its cash flow.