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.
HSBC Holdings (HSBA)