The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) approved a loan guarantee for more than $50 million extended by Apple Bank to support the export of a fleet of Sikorsky S-76D helicopters to Aeroservicios Especializados S.A. DE C.V. (ASESA) of Mexico.

ASESA, a Monterrey, Mexico-based helicopter services provider plans to use the helicopters to fly personnel to and from deep-water drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ex-Im Bank said the loan guarantee inaugurates its Business Aircraft and Helicopter Qualified Advisor program. AirFinance, a general aviation financing company based in San Francisco, served as the qualified advisor for the loan guarantee.

“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, regional sales director for Mexico at Sikorsky.

(The Sikorsky S-76D helicopter)