Rotortrade: Heli financing environment ‘improves noticeably’
Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade.
The helicopter financing environment has “improved noticeably”, according to Philippe Lubrano, CEO of rotary helicopter dealer, maintenance and financial services company Rotortrade.
“Access to funding at better dollar rates is back. We’ve seen financing costs drop by a couple of points, which makes helicopter acquisitions significantly more competitive—especially for well-prepared buyers,” he said.
Geopolitical developments are now playing a central role in shaping supply and demand, as uncertainty persists and operating costs continue to climb.
As expected, military demand for rotary lift is delaying the manufacture of civilian helicopters. “What we anticipated is already happening,” Lubrano said. “Defence budgets are increasing globally. New helicopter orders from governments are flooding the system, which naturally reduces availability for civilian operators. In many cases, civil buyers now face lead times of two or three years for new aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Rotortrade said it continued to offer “what the market increasingly needs: ready-to-fly inventory”. The company holds about $100m in inventory, covering Leonardo, Airbus, and Bell platforms, supported by in-house maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) capability to ensure readiness, it claimed.
Last month the company revealed the opening of Rotortrade Brazil in a region it describes as one of the most active regions for civil aviation. Last month it sold a 2020 Airbus H125 to Brazilian aviation company Aeromot. “We’re proud to strengthen our presence in South America,” Lubrano said. “And we’re preparing for further global expansion, with new office announcements expected in Q3 2025.”
After focusing on MRO facilities in recent years, the next step for Rotortrade is building more integrated solutions – particularly around leasing and financing, said the CEO. “With Rotorlease announced at Verticon this year and expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2025, we’re now turning our attention to making financing more accessible for our clients as well.”
Rising costs are the new reality, said Lubrano. “The cost of operating helicopters is going up. That’s a reality everyone needs to accept. Aircraft are more expensive, and so are the costs to keep them flying. For the market to remain healthy, clients must recognise these new pricing dynamics and plan accordingly.”
Opportunistic buyers will always look for the perfect deal, but planning and discipline are needed to deliver long-term success, he said. “This industry doesn’t move in sudden spikes – it evolves steadily. That’s why vision matters. At Rotortrade, everything we do is aligned with a long-term strategy. We’re not chasing short-term trends – we’re building for the future.”
Meanwhile, read our exclusive interview with Lubrano, conducted earlier this month here.
