Ex-Im

Ex-Im Bank has retained Greg Craig , former White House counsel for President Barack Obama, and Mr. Craig's firm—Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP—to advise bank officials on the federal lawsuit filed last month by the Air Transport Association of America, according to a person close to Ex-Im Bank.

Ex-Im Bank Hires Former White House Counsel David Kesmodel 2011

The U.S. Department of Justice is defending Ex-Im Bank in the suit.

Ex-Im Bank Hires Former White House Counsel David Kesmodel 2011

The industry group, which filed the suit on behalf of nine of its member carriers, including Delta Air Lines Inc., argues that loan guarantees provided by Ex-Im Bank to overseas airlines put U.S. carriers at a commercial disadvantage, because foreign carriers get access to cheaper capital to finance jet purchases.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

Ex-Im Bank didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

During his trip to Indonesia in November, he credited Ex-Im Bank and other administration officials with playing a "critical" role in facilitating the planned purchase of 230 Boeing jets by Lion Air, a Jakarta-based airline.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

"Greater transparency and process reform at the Ex-Im Bank are long overdue to ensure that U.S. airlines are not disadvantaged by the bank's loan guarantees of foreign airlines."

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

The Ex-Im Bank loan guarantees at issue would support the purchase of 30 long-range Boeing jets, including 27 of its new 787 Dreamliners.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

"We are confident the court will find that there is clear evidence demonstrating that the Ex-Im Bank failed to meet its statutory requirements," Airlines for America said in a prepared statement after the judge's ruling Friday.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

Ex-Im Bank, which provides loans and loan guarantees to foreign buyers of American goods to help support U.S. jobs, has argued the trade group's lawsuit had no merit.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012

Ex-Im Bank, which originated during the Great Depression, smoothed the purchase of $41 billion in airplanes and other U.S. products in the year ended Sept. 30.

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in Air India Case David Kesmodel 2012