Ex-Im Bank approves USD1.1bn financing for 737-900ER aircraft to Lion Air

Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) approved (05-Mar-2013) a final commitment of USD1.1 billion to finance the export of a fleet of Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with CFM International engines to Lion Air. The aircraft will be delivered to the Indonesian carrier for operation by Malindo Airways (Malaysia) and Batik Air (Indonesia). The authorisation is a final commitment of a preliminary offer of financing that the Bank approved in 2011. Ex-Im Bank is providing a guarantee of financing provided by Apple Bank for Savings. Additional funding may be provided by capital-markets investors via an Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed bond. The financing will support a portion of Lion Air's outstanding orders for 737-900ER aircraft, which includes 230 737 aircraft ordered in Nov-2011, the largest commercial aircraft order in aviation history. [more - original PR]