LCI leases seven new AW169s to Babcock Canada for EMS missions
Babcock Canada has received one Delivery of the first helicopter has been made and the remaining six aircraft will reach British Columbia by January 2025.
Operating lessor LCI has bought seven new Leonardo AW169 helicopters, in emergency medical services (EMS) configuration, for lease to Babcock Canada. The helicopters are being placed in LCI’s joint venture with SMFL: SMFL LCI Helicopters Limited.
Babcock has been subcontracted by Ascent Helicopters to provide EMS operations across British Columbia on behalf of British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). Ascent Helicopters is the first operator to deploy the AW169 in Canada.
Delivery of the first helicopter has been made and the remaining six aircraft will reach British Columbia by January 2025. Equipped with night vision goggles and the latest medical interiors installed by HeliMods in British Columbia, the AW169s will enable the helicopters to meet mission critical operational requirements in British Columbia, according to the lessor.
BCEHS flies medical emergency evacuations and patient transfers between healthcare facilities responding to calls from more than 7,800 patients a year. Jerry McLean, CEO, Babcock Canada, said: “Babcock Canada is delighted to work with LCI as we expand our aviation footprint into Western Canada. The Leonardo AW169 is a modern, reliable, and mission-ready aircraft that will significantly enhance the critical services Ascent Helicopters will provide to the citizens of British Columbia.”
Nigel Leishman, chief commercial officer, LCI said the lessor was honoured to support Ascent and Babcock in the expansion of vital EMS operations in British Columbia. “This development in our longstanding partnership with Babcock demonstrates how LCI can deliver tailored financing solutions for highly specialised, mission critical assets such as emergency medical service helicopters, giving maximum flexibility and support to our customers in providing essential operations,” said Leishman.
LCI provides 17 helicopters to Babcock International Group for a range of roles in markets worldwide. More than half of LCI’s fleet is deployed on EMS operations.
The new helicopters will support local communities and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the lessor. The goals include Good health and well-being (SDG3), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9) and Sustainable cities and communities (SDG11). LCI is a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland’s (ALI) Sustainability Charter, with a commitment to driving forward and achieving ESG related goals. The charter is based on 10 priority sustainability principles, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.
Meanwhile, earlier this month LCI leased two new Airbus Helicopters H175s to Omni Helicopters International; one of the largest helicopter operators in Latin America. The H175s will be deployed in Latin America to support Omni’s contracts and join seven other helicopters LCI has leased already to the operator.
