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The board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) recently approved two final commitments aggregating $171 million in export financing for Aerovias de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (Aeromexico). Aeromexico is Mexico’s largest airline and a founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance. This transaction effectively triples Ex-Im support for Mexican aviation companies purchasing goods and services from U.S. companies.
The final commitments approved by Ex-Im Bank will support the export to Aeromexico of Boeing 737 passenger aircraft, as well as various goods and services to be provided by a variety of U.S. exporters. The latter includes the maintenance, repair and overhaul operations division of engines and auxiliary power units by Delta TechOps in Atlanta, Ga. and Honeywell in Phoenix, Ariz. Delta TechOps is the maintenance repair and overhaul operations unit of Delta Airlines (Delta), also a member of the SkyTeam Alliance.
Earlier this month, Delta invested $65 million in Aeromexico. As a result, Delta now has a 4.17% ownership interest in, and a seat on the board of directors of Aeromexico.
"I am pleased that this transaction will help Boeing, Delta, Honeywell and other U.S. companies create and sustain American jobs," said Fred P. Hochberg, the chairman and president of Ex-Im Bank. "American workers produce the best products and services – and airplanes – in the world, and we are committed to ensuring that our financing support helps our companies remain competitive."
"Ex-Im Bank’s support of Grupo Aeromexico has been vitally important and played a key role in our fleet renewal process that we started a decade ago," said Andres Conesa, CEO of Aeromexico. "Through the loan facility it approved yesterday and with the renewal of the CGF, Ex-Im Bank has demonstrated that we have a valuable strategic partner, which will help us achieve our expansion plans and benefit our passengers and stockholders."
In order to provide Aeromexico with a natural currency hedge, the final commitments are structured as Mexican Peso denominated Ex-Im Bank guaranteed loans. The guaranteed lenders will be Banco Nacional de Mexico (a 100% owned subsidiary of Citibank) and HSBC.
The other airline members of the SkyTeam Alliance besides Delta and Aeromexico are: Aeroflot, Air Europa, AirFrance, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia, Tarom, and Vietnam Airlines.
Mexico is Ex-Im Bank’s largest single market, which supports thousands of U.S. jobs. At the end of Fiscal Year 2011 (September 30, 2011) Ex-Im’s exposure in Mexico was over $8.3 billion.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
