Helicopter operating leasing ranking 2017: Top of the Ops
The big players in the helicopter market have remained unchanged since our last update in 2015. Milestone remains at the top of the ranking, with a fleet value now surpassing $4 billion.
Helicopter Investor readers have asked us to provide more up-to-date figures, so we have put together a new list of the most current portfolio statistics for the top helicopter lessors that we can get our hands on.
The ranking below shows official figures from five of the biggest leasing companies’ current portfolio figures. These figures are subject to change.
If you have any questions or corrections, please contact [email protected].
Milestone Aviation:
Current portfolio value: +$4 billion
Number of helicopters: 306
Orders and options: valued at $3 billion
Customers: more than 35 customers in over 30 countries.
Shareholder: GE Capital Aviation Services
Waypoint Leasing:
Current portfolio value: $1.6 billion
Number of helicopters: 150+
Orders and options: more than 90 helicopters valued at $1 billion
Shareholders: MSD Capital, Soros Fund Management, Cartesian Capital Group
LCI Helicopters:
Current portfolio value: c.$516m
Number of helicopters : 40
Orders and options: between $225 million and $245 million
Customers: 15
Shareholder: Lease Corporation International
Lobo Leasing:
Current portfolio value: c.$300 million
Number of helicopters: 32
Shareholder: GSO Capital Partners
Macquerie Rotorcraft:
Last recorded portfolio figures: $260 million
Orders and options at end of 2014: $270 million
Shareholder: Macquarie
Source: www.helicopterinvestor.com
Leasing companies are now established as the go-to people when you need a helicopter. Most new helicopter deliveries are going to lessors and municipalities as opposed to operators – who are experiencing a tough resale market.
We are also seeing a rush into new markets, specifically China. Waypoint Leasing has led the pack in establishing the first international helicopter leasing platform in the country. Chinese operators are also showing an appetite for helicopters, with a recent number of “mega orders” from OEMs.
