EETC launched at lowest ever coupon
This month saw Continental Airlines issue a huge EETC worth nearly €900 million at the lowest coupon yet, while Flydubai indicated its intention to pursue Ex-Im bank financing, a contentious issue at present in light of disputes over the remit of export-import banks. Meanwhile, orders for the 737 MAX meant that Boeing beat Airbus' sales in Jan-Feb.

'History shows that human ingenuity has always come up with financing sources and that aircraft for reasonable credits always attract finance' - Colm Barrington
Aviation Finance editor KEN O'BRIEN interviews COLM BARRINGTON, CEO of quoted aircraft lessor FLY Leasing, and non executive chairman of Aer Lingus, the Irish carrier, on the 'funding gap', the financial economics of aircraft leasing, and the business model of NYSE-quoted lessor FLY. He says there may be a lack of appreciation of the value of certain types of aircraft assets in the public markets in particular.

US 'white knights' reported as standing on sidelines ready to support aircraft funding
The Dow Jones said that notable U.S. banks that could pick up slack or buy any loan portfolios up for sale as a result of the euro funding crisis include J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, Wells Fargo & Co, Bank of America, and Citi. Societe Generale and BNP Paribas have been scaling back their aircraft financing business in the wake of the sovereign-debt crisis and the dollar shortage hitting European banks. "It's bad news given European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and U.S. rival Boeing Co. are funded in dollars and French banks arrange about 30 p.c.of financing", DJ said.

Air India to receive $1.3 billion loan guarantees in record breaking year for US Ex-Im bank
October 7th: The Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved approximately $25 billion in authorizations in fiscal year 2011 through August 2011 - an all-time Ex-Im record, including $1.3 billion in loan guarantees supporting Boeing commercial aircraft sales to Air India. Air India has pending orders for 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the deliveries of which are expected to begin over the next two months.

Opportunity for those with solutions as a new aircraft financing gap opens up
Amid the current financial uncertainty some very fundamental assumptions inherent to the nuts and bolts of how airline operational business models function and how their aircraft financing needs are addressed are being challenged. CIAN DOOLEY on the current financing landscape.

Aviation Finance Commentary: aircraft financing - deja vu again
September 20th: The Airbus COO John Leahy was quite explicit yesterday (Sept 19th) in pointing out concerns about commercial bank financing in the aircraft market.

US Government signals increased financial support for aircraft manufacturing
Financial difficulties continue to surface as US Government signals increased financial support for aircraft manufacturing.

Asian and Middle Eastern markets figure at Singapore Air Show
Indonesian airline LionAir signed Boeing's biggest ever order at the Singapore airshow, in a drive for growth that was also evident in Garuda's acquisition of 24 Bombardier jets. Middle Eastern sources also feature as a source of funding as Emirates turns to Islamic banks to finance the purchase of three new aircraft. At the same time the US Ex-Im bank has declared that a 'golden age' for business jet ECA financing lies ahead.

Airbus to bridge the gap 'if necessary'
October 11th: Airbus has said it will help its customers with financing if the European debt crisis makes it necessary and has said it has been in discussions with export credit agencies, who stepped in with guarantees during the 2008 crisis when market funding for aircraft was not available.

Airbus to bridge the gap 'if necessary'
Airbus has said it will help its customers with financing if the European debt crisis makes it necessary and has said it has been in discussions with export credit agencies, who stepped in with guarantees during the 2008 crisis when market funding for aircraft was not available.

Avolon broadens customer base and expands funding by $600m
September 26th: Avolon has announced nine aircraft leases to AirAsia and Ryanair which broadens the lessor’s customer base to include leading LCCs in Europe and Asia. AirAsia is taking four A320s on seven year leases while Ryanair is getting five Boeing 737-800s over twelve year periods. Seven of the jets are delivered this week with another two due in 2012.