MINSK, 3 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian air carrier Belavia hopes to get a loan from the U.S. Exim Bank to make the final payment for the three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Director General of the Belarusian air company Belavia Anatoly Gusarov told journalists on 3 March, BelTA has learned.
“Our task for today is to find credit resources. We are working on this. It is likely that we will take out a loan from the U.S. Exim Bank,” Anatoly Gusarov said. He pointed out that this money is quite cheap if compared, for example, with the loans offered by European banks.
Anatoly Gusarov said that the three Boeing aircraft cost a considerable amount of money. A part of the sum has already been paid, and another $100 million is needed. Belavia is looking for a loan in cooperation with the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus.
Anatoly Gusarov said that the first of the three aircraft to be delivered in 2016 will arrive in Minsk in August, the second in September with the last one in November.
BelTA reported earlier that Belavia will receive three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft one year ahead of the date specified by the manufacturer.
The aircraft will come with economy class options, with each able to carry 189 passengers. The Belarusian air carrier intends to use them for existing charter flights. The high economic effectiveness of the new aircraft will reduce operation costs. The longer flight distance will allow longer flights without stopovers, including to Tenerife and Dubai.
Belavia is the largest air carrier in Belarus by the number of passengers and cargoes it transports. In January 2014 the Belarusian airline acquired a legal status of an open joint stock company. Belavia operates 27 aircraft, and offers regulars flights to 46 destinations in Europe and Asia. Belavia joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 1997 and the European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) in 2010.
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