GDHF seals deal for 20 H175s for worldwide lease

The 55 H175s in service have logged over 210,000 flight hours, of which 184,000 hours were in the energy sector.

Dublin-based new helicopter lessor GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) is to market 20 H175s after its parent company GDAT signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters. The agreement includes 10 firm orders and 10 options.

All the H175 helicopters will be offered for service in energy, search and rescue (SAR), emergency medical services (EMS) and parapublic markets worldwide.

The latest order follows a 50-unit H160 deal between GDAT and the manufacturer revealed in April last year. “This deal will further enhance GDHF’s ability to offer our customers near term availability of efficient, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters of the very latest technology,” said Michael York, the fledgling lessor’s CEO. “GDHF will build a strong relationship with Airbus to deliver high value solutions for our customers.”

Bruno Even, CEO, Airbus Helicopters said the creation of GDHF and the follow-on GDAT contract underlines the versatility and competitiveness of the H175 and the H160. “We look forward to a long-standing partnership with GDHF as they put these multi-mission helicopters into service with their customers around the globe,” he said.

Entering service in 2015, the super-medium H175 has logged more than 210,000 flight hours, including 184,000 hours in the energy sector. There are 55 H175s currently in service.

Meanwhile, watch out for our exclusive interview with GDHF CEO Michael York on his strategy for the new lessor in tomorrow’s Helicopter Investor Uplift newsletter.