Boeing has found a home for two of the 737-300s that had been destined for Garuda. The manufacturer is also believed to be negotiating to place other aircraft previously destined for the Indonesian carrier with Air New Zealand.
Heller Financial has signed a deal for the two "whitetail" 737-300s for delivery this year. The Chicago-based financial management company has a portfolio of 757s and 767s, McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and Boeing MD-80s.
The aircraft are among a batch of 10 737-300s and a -500 that were built against an order by Garuda. The airline has been forced to defer delivery of the aircraft after its recent financial problems.
Air New Zealand is understood to be seeking more new 737-300s in the near future to add to two aircraft introduced this year for services to Australia. Talks are under way with Boeing to finalise a deal placing some of the Garuda aircraft with the airline. Air New Zealand had deferred delivery of up to six 737-300s after deciding instead to hushkit its 11 737-200s.
Source: Flight International
