LCI Orders Up to 21 Modern Helicopters from Airbus

May 21, 2024

[May 21, 2024]  — LCI, a leading aviation lessor and one of the aerospace subsidiaries of Libra Group, a privately owned business group with assets and operations in nearly 60 countries, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL), have announced an order for up to 21 of the latest generation helicopters from Airbus.

The new order from LCI and SMFL’s joint venture leasing operation, SMFL LCI Helicopters (SMFLH), consists of 14 firm orders plus 7 options. It is made up of a mix of light twin H145, medium twin H160 and super medium H175 helicopters. The new helicopters will be delivered through to 2028 and will be aimed at a variety of operating segments such as emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue (SAR), and offshore energy, including wind.

This marks the next phase of the pioneering Flight Path partnership between LCI and Airbus Helicopters, which aims to address the long-term capacity and financing requirements of the industry in a responsible manner. Flight Path builds upon a 20-year relationship between LCI and Airbus, and the initial phase will see the committed delivery of at least 7 latest generation Airbus helicopters by 2025.

Libra Group’s LCI has a diverse fleet of approximately 350 aircraft operational or pending delivery. Currently, this includes 40 Airbus helicopters deployed by 12 operators in over 10 countries across the globe on a range of missions, all of which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing LCI and SMFL’s long-term commitment to sustainable growth.

Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: “We are delighted to announce our continued business with Airbus. The helicopter marketplace is facing a number of key capacity decisions as it looks to match supply with underlying demand requirements. This order for up to 21 latest generation helicopters reflects our combined determination to deliver solutions for operators and end users in a lasting, efficient and pragmatic way.”

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, says: “This substantial new helicopter order from LCI and SMFL marks the next exciting phase of our Flight Path partnership, and aims to provide the required support, at the substantial scale needed, to the mission critical sector. With our combination of technical and financial innovation, and market knowledge and presence, I’m confident there will be many more chapters to come.”

The new helicopters align with LCI and SMFL’s long-term commitment to sustainable growth. LCI is a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland’s (ALI) Sustainability Charter, with a commitment to driving forward and achieving responsibility goals, centered around 10 priority sustainability principles, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.

About LCI

LCI is a leading aviation company that is uniquely positioned across the commercial fixed-wing, helicopter and advanced air mobility sectors. Since its inception in 2004, LCI has undertaken approximately US$10 billion of aviation transactions and provides leasing services to operators, Governments and end-users.

LCI is owned by Libra Group (www.libra.com), a privately owned global business group with assets and operations in nearly 60 countries, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL) (www.smfl.co.jp). For more information, visit www.lciaviation.com

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