HONG KONG, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Air China Ltd sent out a request for proposals last week foraircraft financing of at least $1.0 billion, sources said.
One source said the deal size could be roughly $1.8 billion.
The borrower did not indicate any specific terms, butsources said the tenor could be 10-12 years.
Funds are for several aircraft, one source said.
Air China last tapped the loan market in February 2012 for a$540 million 12-year club deal for four Boeing B777-300ERs. Bankof Tokyo-Mitsubushi UFJ and HSBC weremandated lead arrangers on that deal, which was guaranteed byExport-Import Bank of the United States.
Prior to that, Air China got a $35.431 million club loanwith a tenor of 11 years and nine months from BTMU andCommerzbank Hong Kong in 2011 for one Airbus A330 and aUS$252.09 million 12-year club from BTMU and HSBC in 2010.
The borrower, one of China's top three airlines, operates afleet of more than 432 aircraft serving 282 domestic andinternational routes.