Ex-Im Approves Over $50 million to Finance Export of U.S. Aircraft to Mexico
October 24, 2012
(Ex-Im Bank)
Washington, D.C. – The board of the
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im
Bank) authorized more than $50 million to
guarantee a loan extended by Apple Bank to
Aeroservicios Especializados S.A. DE C.V.
(ASESA) of Mexico that will finance the export
of a fleet of Sikorsky S-76DTM helicopters to
Mexico.
Ex-Im Bank’s credit will support approximately
450 U.S. jobs, according to bank estimates
derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor
data and methodology.
The loan guarantee formally inaugurates Ex-Im
Bank's Business Aircraft and Helicopter
Qualified Advisor program, which was first
announced by Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President
Fred P. Hochberg at the European Business
Aviation Convention & Exhibition in May of
2012. San Francisco-based AirFinance served as
the qualified advisor and facilitated the
application and authorization process.
Additionally, the transaction is the Bank’s
first involving the new Sikorsky S-76D
helicopter.
“Ex-Im Bank is pleased to back the export of
Sikorsky helicopters once again, this time to
Mexico, one of our nine key markets,” said
Chairman Hochberg. “We are also pleased that
our Qualified Advisor program has proven
helpful in expediting innovative U.S. exports
and supporting U.S. jobs.”
Headquartered in Stratford, Conn., Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation manufactures both
commercial and military helicopters. Its S-76D
model, the latest variant of the S-76, is a
medium-lift helicopter designed for offshore
oil operations, EMS, executive transport, and
search-and-rescue missions. In terms of
capabilities, the helicopter provides increased
range and a quieter cabin. Upon further
certification to come, the helicopter will
boast the ability to operate in known icing
conditions.
“We are very happy Ex-Im Bank has approved the
financing of S-76D helicopters to ASESA, a
decision that will support U.S. jobs. Mexico is
an extremely important market for all of our
Sikorsky products and we are pleased to welcome
ASESA to our family of S-76 fleet operators,”
said Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky’s regional sales
director for Mexico. “The S-76 model has a long
and successful history serving the offshore oil
markets, and the D model is the latest
variation of this very popular platform of
aircraft. We are thrilled that ASESA will be
introducing it to the Mexican market.”
AirFinance is a global company focused on the
financing of general aviation aircraft,
including business jets, turboprops, and
helicopters, with an emphasis on transactions
outside of the United States. It is currently
the only approved general aviation qualified
advisor for Ex-Im Bank focused on providing
greater support to U.S.-made aircraft.
“The Qualified Advisor Program is a great
example of the public-private partnership so
frequently held up as a model for how
government can partner with the private sector.
We are honored to partner with Ex-Im’s
experienced aircraft financing team to help
Sikorsky expand in Mexico and to support U.S.
jobs,” said Kirsten Bartok, AirFinance managing
partner.
ASESA is a leading helicopter-services provider
for the oil and gas industry in Mexico and
South America. The Monterrey, Mexico-based
company was founded in 1977 and has accumulated
more than 470,000 flight hours. It plans to
employ the Sikorsky helicopters to ferry
personnel to and from deep-water drilling rigs
in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We are very excited that Ex-Im bank trusts
ASESA by approving the first S-76D helicopter
financing package. We think this important
event will mark the beginning of a long lasting
relationship between ASESA and Ex-Im Bank for
the coming years,” said Humberto Lobo, CEO of
Grupo Lomex (parent company of ASESA).
As of the end of FY 2011, Ex-Im Bank’s credit
exposure in Mexico amounted to $8.3 billion.
Welcome to the Exporting Source
Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.