Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Companies / Air India scouts for $535 million loan to buy 3 Boeing planes
BackBack

Air India scouts for $535 million loan to buy 3 Boeing planes

Air India has issued a revised tender to raise $535 million loan from banks under two term sheets, two of these planes will be used to ferry VVIPs

The delivery of three B777-300 ER planes is scheduled to be completed in February next year, with two expected to be bought in January. Photo: Abhijit Bhatlekar/MintPremium
The delivery of three B777-300 ER planes is scheduled to be completed in February next year, with two expected to be bought in January. Photo: Abhijit Bhatlekar/Mint

New Delhi: Air India is looking to raise loans worth $535 million to finance acquisition of three Boeing Co. planes, including two aircraft that will be used for ferrying VVIPs, a senior airline official said.

It has reduced the required loan amount by around $20 million in less than three weeks after floating a tender where it had sought loan up to $555 million for buying the three aircraft.

The delivery of three B777-300 ER planes is scheduled to be completed in February next year, with two expected to be bought in January.

Issuing a revised tender, the airline has solicited interest from lenders for loan worth up to $535 million, for which two separate term sheets would be inked. At current exchange rates, the loan would be to the tune of around Rs3,460 crore.

Out of three aircraft, two are to be acquired in January 2018 and those would be for the use of VVIPs, the official said. After making required modifications, the two planes would join the fleet that are generally used to carry the president, vice president and the prime minister, the official added.

As per the purchase agreement with Boeing, Air India is to buy 15 B777-300 ER aircraft and has already taken delivery of 12 such planes. According to the revised tender document, one term sheet would be for two aircraft that are to be delivered in January next year and the loan amount required is up to $400 million. The figure translates to around $200 million for each plane.

For the remaining aircraft, a separate term sheet would be inked for a loan of up to $135 million. The specific reasons for revising downwards the proposed loan amount to $535 million from $555 million could not be immediately ascertained.

“The facility should be a direct loan without the requirement for formation of a special purpose vehicle structure which requires title transfer," the tender document said.

Air India has said that the Government of India has indicated that they would issue its guarantee for the bridge financing of B777-300 ER aircraft for a period of 12 months or till the date the loan is refinanced whichever is earlier. No commitment fee would be paid to the bidder and that the “pre-payment/ short closure of the bridge loan should be allowed without any extra cost" to the airline, it added.

In 2006, Air India placed orders with Boeing for 68 aircraft—27 Dreamliners, 15 B777-300 ERs, eight B777-200 LRs and 18 B737-800s. Of these, the state-run carrier has already taken the delivery of 65 planes. At present, the flagship airline has a fleet of 115 aircraft. The B777-300 ER aircraft owned by Air India has 342 seats for passengers.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 05 Nov 2017, 04:52 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App

Chat with MintGenie