LCI, a leading aviation leasing company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company Limited (SMFL), have acquired and committed to a further five next-generation helicopters.
These additional aircraft bring their total Joint Venture (JV) portfolio to 38 units, valued at over US$420 million – a doubling in size in less than two years from when the JV was launched in September 2020 with 19 aircraft.
The most recent helicopters consist of two Airbus H145 D3, two Airbus H145 T2 and one Leonardo AW139. They will be deployed in mission-critical roles in Europe and Asia.
More than 75% of the JV’s total fleet is now deployed on ESG-focused missions such as emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR) and serving offshore wind farm operations. The fleet is in operation across various countries including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Norway, as well as Australia.
Jaspal Jandu, Chief Executive Officer at LCI, said: “Our continued expansion is a clear demonstration of the initial success and long-term potential of LCI’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.”
Shin Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer at SMFL, said: “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.”
