LCI has re-entered the fixed wing market

Helicopter lessor LCI announced it has re-entered the fixed wing market with the acquisition of an Airbus A330-300 commercial aircraft. It was acquired by a joint venture between LCI and Marathon Asset Management.

LCI has a 17-year track record in the fixed wing market, during which it has carried out more than 120 passenger and freighter aircraft transactions worth over $7bn, according to the company.

Deal origination, technical management and ongoing lease management will be done in-house by LCI.

LCI divested its $1bn fleet in 2007 and has since invested and divested $4.8bn running from 2008 to 2020.

Michael Platt, vice chairman of LCI, said: “LCI prides itself on being a prime-mover in aviation leasing as demonstrated by strategic investments in widebody aircraft, freighters and helicopters, and this acquisition marks the latest chapter in that strategy.”

Joe Thorstenson, MD of Aircraft Leasing at Marathon Asset Management, said: “As the airline industry continues to build back from the pandemic, we believe the range of compelling aircraft investment opportunities is growing quickly.”

LCI said it has undertaken more than $8bn of transactions in the fixed-wing and helicopter markets since its inception in 2004.