Aerospace giant Boeing's financing unit Boeing Capital announced yesterday that it had opened an office in Dublin to help expand its European business.

"Dublin offers the right locale when considering the city's financial reputation, central location, and available intellectual capital," said Mr Jim Palmer, president of Boeing Capital, based in Seattle.

Boeing Capital's senior director, Mr Cian Dooley, will run the Dublin office and report to Mr Tony Simpson, managing director for Boeing Capital's European aircraft financial services business in Brussels.

The Dublin office will support Boeing Capital's Brussels-based European headquarters in pitching aircraft leasing and other commercial financial services to airlines and other businesses, Boeing Capital said in a statement issued in Seattle.

Boeing Capital has been a stand-alone unit of the aircraft company since it was acquired in 1977 when Boeing bought rival McDonnell Douglas.

The company provides financing and leasing solutions offering a wide range of products and services to industries worldwide, according to its website.