LCI, September 18, 2021 - LCI, the leading helicopter leasing, management and investment platform, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL) have acquired and committed to an additional twelve next generation helicopters within their helicopter leasing joint venture.
The helicopters, which are worth in excess of US$120 million, represent a more than 50% expansion of the joint venture’s fleet less than a year after it was launched.
The new aircraft comprise of four Airbus Helicopters H145, three Leonardo AW139 and five Leonardo AW169 helicopters. They join the nineteen helicopters already owned by the vehicle which are leased across the globe on missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue (SAR), and transportation to offshore wind farms.
Jaspal Jandu, Chief Executive Officer of LCI, says: "The LCI and SMFL joint venture was purposefully created to offer a wide range of leasing and financing options to the helicopter industry on efficient and flexible terms. These latest acquisitions, so soon after the vehicle’s launch, further validate our efforts and represent a wider vote of continuing investor confidence in the helicopter leasing marketplace."
Shinichiro Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer of SMFL, says: "The robust model of our joint venture, featuring ESG-friendly, long-term leases on full power by the hour maintenance contracts, together with LCI’s skill as a partner, make this expansion a natural progression. We expect our collective and proven track record, knowledge and financial strength to continue to drive growth in the years ahead."
LCI’s fleet comprises approximately US$1 billion of assets in service, on order and under management, focused on the latest technology medium and super medium helicopters manufactured by leading helicopter OEMs including Leonardo, Airbus and Sikorsky.
These are in operation across four continents in multiple sectors including emergency medical services, offshore wind, search and rescue, maritime pilot transfer and offshore crew transportation.
About LCI: LCI is a helicopter and commercial aircraft leasing company with offices in Dublin, London and Singapore. Since its inception in 2004, it has acquired rotary and fixed wing aircraft with a value of around US$6 billion. LCI is owned by Libra Group, an international business group with 30 subsidiaries active in 35 countries across six continents. Libra Group’s subsidiaries are focused on six core sectors: aviation, energy, hospitality, real estate, shipping, and diversified investments.
About SMFL: Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing has been one of leading Japanese leasing companies for more than 50 years. SMFL is owned by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, one of the biggest banking groups, while Sumitomo Corporation is a top-tier trading company. SMFL provides aircraft and engine leases to the global aviation industry and other asset-based finance such as real estate and energy facilities, in addition to other types of finances like financial leases, debt and equity investments, and various financial products.
The helicopters, which are worth in excess of US$120 million, represent a more than 50% expansion of the joint venture’s fleet less than a year after it was launched.
The new aircraft comprise of four Airbus Helicopters H145, three Leonardo AW139 and five Leonardo AW169 helicopters. They join the nineteen helicopters already owned by the vehicle which are leased across the globe on missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Search and Rescue (SAR), and transportation to offshore wind farms.
Jaspal Jandu, Chief Executive Officer of LCI, says: "The LCI and SMFL joint venture was purposefully created to offer a wide range of leasing and financing options to the helicopter industry on efficient and flexible terms. These latest acquisitions, so soon after the vehicle’s launch, further validate our efforts and represent a wider vote of continuing investor confidence in the helicopter leasing marketplace."
Shinichiro Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer of SMFL, says: "The robust model of our joint venture, featuring ESG-friendly, long-term leases on full power by the hour maintenance contracts, together with LCI’s skill as a partner, make this expansion a natural progression. We expect our collective and proven track record, knowledge and financial strength to continue to drive growth in the years ahead."
LCI’s fleet comprises approximately US$1 billion of assets in service, on order and under management, focused on the latest technology medium and super medium helicopters manufactured by leading helicopter OEMs including Leonardo, Airbus and Sikorsky.
These are in operation across four continents in multiple sectors including emergency medical services, offshore wind, search and rescue, maritime pilot transfer and offshore crew transportation.
About LCI: LCI is a helicopter and commercial aircraft leasing company with offices in Dublin, London and Singapore. Since its inception in 2004, it has acquired rotary and fixed wing aircraft with a value of around US$6 billion. LCI is owned by Libra Group, an international business group with 30 subsidiaries active in 35 countries across six continents. Libra Group’s subsidiaries are focused on six core sectors: aviation, energy, hospitality, real estate, shipping, and diversified investments.
About SMFL: Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing has been one of leading Japanese leasing companies for more than 50 years. SMFL is owned by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, one of the biggest banking groups, while Sumitomo Corporation is a top-tier trading company. SMFL provides aircraft and engine leases to the global aviation industry and other asset-based finance such as real estate and energy facilities, in addition to other types of finances like financial leases, debt and equity investments, and various financial products.
New leasing agreement includes 5 Leonardo AW169 helicopters
See also |
LCI Aviation Lease Corporation International 
Wind Energy Industry 
Helicopters Insurance and Legal Services 
SMFL LCI and SMFL Reached $420M in Helicopter Leasing
