LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance acquire five next gen helicopters
Aviation leasing company LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL) have acquired a further five next generation helicopters. This brings their joint venture fleet to 38 units, valued at more than $420m – a doubling in size since the partnership was launched in September 2020.
The latest additions to the joint venture fleet are: two Airbus H145 D3, two Airbus H145 T2, and one Leonardo AW139. The aircraft will be deployed on mission-critical roles in Europe and Asia.
They will join fleet aircraft operating across a wide range of countries including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Norway and Australia. Three-quarters of the fleet are dedicated to environmental and social governance- (ESG)-focused missions such as emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR) and serving offshore wind farm operations.
Jaspal Jandu, CEO at LCI, said the expansion showed the initial success and long-term potential of the leasing company’s partnership with SMFL. “Using our collective expertise, I am confident that we can achieve further growth with an increasing focus on socially-aware helicopter missions across the globe,” said Jandu.
Shin Watanabe, managing executive officer at SMFL, added: “The synergy between LCI and SMFL’s shared values and respective strengths continues to deliver impressive results. We will maintain our dynamic and proactive approach so as to contribute positively to society.”
Meanwhile, since its launch in 2004, LCI has undertaken more than $8bn of transactions in the fixed-wing and helicopter markets.
Joint venture fleet – at a glance
- Total fleet: 38 units
- Valued at over $420m
- Latest additions:
- Two Airbus H145 D3
- Two Airbus H145 T2
- One Leonardo AW139.
