Helaba and BayernLB close €125m export credit deal for GD Helicopter Finance
"GDHF sees this finance agreement as a strong endorsement of the strength of the helicopter industry," said chief executive Michael York.
Helaba and BayernLB have financed the first Airbus H160 in a €125m export credit loan for GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF). The facility will finance other Airbus H160s and Airbus H175s delivering in 2026 and 2027. BpiFrance guaranteed the loan.
“GDHF is very grateful to Helaba, BayernLB and BpiFrance for their strong support and partnership spirit that has enabled this finance facility. The loan will further enhance GDHF’s ability to regularly purchase factory new, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters that meet or exceed the needs of our global customer base,” said Michael York, chief executive, GDHF. “GDHF sees this finance agreement as a strong endorsement of the strength of the helicopter industry and a validation of GDHF’s growth and maturity as a trusted provider of new technology helicopter solutions for the global market.”
Helaba is lead arranger, facility agent and security trustee. BayernLB is lead arranger. Watson Farley & Williams advised GD Helicopter Finance with Norton Rose Fulbright acting for the lenders.
“We are delighted to be able to support the growth plan of GDHF and thank everybody involved for the good and trustworthy cooperation throughout the process. This is a further important step in the build out of Helaba’s helicopter finance franchise,” said Jörg Schirrmacher, head of project finance international and asset finance at Helaba.
GDHF won Helicopter Investor’s lessor financing Deal of the Year 2025 for a similar BpiFrance deal with Bank of China and Helaba for eight Airbus H160s.
“We are pleased to contribute to GDHF’s growth strategy and thank everyone involved for the constructive and trusting collaboration throughout the transaction,” said Oliver Geldner, head of aviation and space at BayernLB. “This marks another milestone in further expanding BayernLB’s helicopter finance platform.”
