Post Year: 2016

12th October, 2016: Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation division of the Libra Group, has leased three Airbus Helicopters H130 aircraft to Aviators Air Rescue Pvt Ltd.

The company, which is India’s first civil helicopter emergency service with advanced life support capability, is based in Bangalore and will use the aircraft for emergency medical services (EMS) missions.

Michael Platt, Chief Executive Officer of LCI, says: “It is an honour to supply the first civil EMS helicopters in India to our partner Aviators.

“They have a bold vision to bring high quality new life-saving helicopters to the citizens of India and the growth potential is enormous.”

The H130 is a lightweight single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transportation, sightseeing and VIP duties, as well as medical airlift, law enforcement and surveillance missions. As a multi-role rotorcraft, the H130 has a spacious cabin which can be configured for one or two pilots and up to seven passengers, depending on the configuration.

Arun Sharma, Managing Director of Aviators Air Rescue, says: “It is a pleasure to be able to leverage the expertise, professionalism and flexibility of LCI.  They understand our business and are helping us bring a vital new service to the people of India.”

The EMS operation will be run by Aviators Air Rescue in partnership with Air Medical Group Holdings Inc (Dallas, Texas).

LCI’s helicopter division comprises a fleet of 90 helicopters delivered or on order or under management, including the market-leading Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters and next-generation Airbus Helicopters’ H175 and H130.

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LCI, the aviation division of the Libra Group, announces the delivery of the first Leonardo AW169 helicopter to Elitaliana SpA.

The AW169 is the first of three such aircraft that will be leased from LCI to support to support Elitaliana’s emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) operations in Italy.

LCI is the launch customer for the AW169 and to date has now taken delivery of five of this type, which are now being deployed on a variety of missions including EMS, offshore support and utility/training. The lessor has substantial orders and commitments for additional AW169s which are delivering through the coming years.

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, says: “We are pleased to be partnering with Elitaliana as they introduce the AW169 into service replacing their AW109 equipment.

“We see considerable demand for this versatile and innovative helicopter which offers a broad range of applications, and allows LCI to further expand its relationships with leading operators around the world”.

The Leonardo AW169 is a versatile, new generation twin twin-turbine light intermediate category helicopter, which can accommodate up to ten passengers. The AW169 is the first all new aircraft in its weight category to enter the market in more than 30 years, and is certified in accordance with EASA CS-29 / FAR Part 29 standards for performance and safety.

Prince Manfredo de Windisch-Graetz, President of Elitaliana, says: “It is fitting that Elitaliana is introducing the latest Leonardo helicopter type into operation out of our Rome base, providing enhanced EMS services within the Lazio region of Italy.

“We are delighted to be working with LCI Helicopters who have been extremely supportive to our requirements and we look forward to further developing our relationship over the coming years.”

LCI’s helicopter division comprises a fleet of 90 helicopters delivered or on order or under management, including the market-leading Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters and next-generation Airbus Helicopters’ H175.

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11th October, 2016: LCI, the aviation division of the Libra Group, is experiencing its busiest and most successful year to date in 2016, with its fleet, customer base and operation all rapidly expanding.

The leading helicopter lessor now has 35 helicopters in its own lease portfolio, and expects to have a total of 40 in operation by the year end, largely made up of Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 aircraft.

A total of 18 new helicopters will be delivered to LCI this year alone, and all are being placed with operators and undertaking a variety of roles including emergency medical services, offshore wind energy servicing, search and rescue, and oil and gas.

To cater for the growing size of its operation, LCI has created six new positions. These include the recent appointment of Christopher Grainger as Vice President Marketing for the EMEA region, along with five additional executives in the operational, legal and financial departures.

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, says: “2016 is without doubt turning out to be our most successful year to date. By carefully managing our order book, and ensuring a diversified approach to helicopter placement, we are seeing ever-increasing demand for the new medium sized helicopters entering our fleet.

“We are currently taking delivery of at least one helicopter each month, and placing them in a variety of different roles, with EMS currently the fastest growing sector.”

LCI’s helicopter division comprises a fleet of 90 helicopters delivered or on order or under management, including the market-leading AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters and next-generation Airbus Helicopters’ H175.

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1st September, 2016: Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation division of the Libra Group, has appointed Christopher Grainger to the role of Vice President Marketing for the EMEA region. Mr Grainger joins LCI with 30 years’ experience in the civil helicopter industry, and was previously Vice President of Oil & Gas Sales for Airbus Helicopters.

During his career, Mr Grainger has led worldwide sales, marketing and business development activities for Heli-Union and more recently Airbus Helicopters. He has also held senior management positions at McAlpine Helicopters, EC Canada and EHOC (HeliOffshore). With experience working across all continents, including a large number of developing markets, he has built a wide network of contacts within the helicopter industry.

Reporting to LCI CEO Michael Platt, Grainger’s role will span the company’s helicopter division, which has 90 helicopters (delivered, on order or under management) along with its fixed wing operation.

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, says: “Christopher’s calibre and proven industry experience make him a welcome and significant addition to our team.

“He will play a key role in the growth of our helicopter customer base covering not only oil and gas, but a range of major growth sectors including emergency medical services, offshore wind servicing, utility and search and rescue.”

LCI’s helicopter division comprises a fleet of 90 helicopters delivered or on order or under management, including the market-leading AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters and next-generation Airbus Helicopters’ H175. Its helicopters are currently in operation across four continents – Asia, Australasia, Africa and Europe.

LCI’s fixed wing operation currently comprises a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

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13th May, 2016: LCI, the aviation leasing arm of the Libra Group, has delivered the first new AW139 helicopter to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service based in Australia. The aircraft is currently en route and will arrive at Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s main base in Newcastle, New South Wales, in June to enable pilots along with rescue and medical crews to begin training.

This is the first of four AW139 helicopters to be leased from LCI and delivered over the coming months. Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is a not-for-profit, community-supported operation providing essential aeromedical, search and rescue services. Each year the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service undertakes more than 1,400 missions across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West regions of Australia.

Following fit-out for EMS operations in Australia and crew training operations, the first helicopters will enter service during the first quarter of 2017 and will be operated under contract for NSW Ambulance, on behalf of NSW Health within the Government of New South Wales. Introducing these helicopters is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to improve its Helicopter Retrieval Network through the provision of higher quality clinical care, faster and safer than before

The high-specification aircraft, including full medical and rescue equipment and winch, have been financed under a tripartite, 10-year arrangement with Westpac Banking Corporation, an existing financier of LCI and long-term naming rights sponsor of the helicopter operator.

Richard Jones, General Manager at the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, comments: “After many years of planning, we are all extremely happy to receive the first of our new AW139 helicopters for deployment across the region. This first delivery of four helicopters in our contract with LCI is both progress in our story and a boost for our community-based service. The leasing arrangement we have in place with LCI for these AW139 helicopters will enable us to provide the highest level of service and care to the people of New South Wales.”

LCI Executive Chairman Crispin Maunder adds: “LCI is proud to be supporting the brave men and women of Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service who risk their lives to save others in emergency situations. This first delivery is a further step in the transformative upgrade process for the service as it deploys the latest helicopter technology in critical care missions. By the end of this year LCI will lease ten AW139 helicopters for aeromedical operations in Australia which highlights the important role that leasing has in this market.” 

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18th April, 2016: LCI, the aviation leasing arm of the Libra Group, continues to increase its fleet of dedicated maindeck freighter aircraft. Two additional Boeing 747-400F aircraft are now flying for Qatar Airways and Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and are being operated by ACT Airlines, known as myCARGO Airlines, the Turkish wet-lease operator.

The two Pratt & Whitney-powered B747-400F aircraft have been acquired from Singapore Airlines Cargo. LCI has a third B747-400F which is currently on lease with the Singapore airline as well. ACT Airlines was founded in 2004. It was established by Turkish entrepreneurs and in 2011, China’s HNA Group joined ACT Airlines as a 49% minority shareholder. The Airline operates a fleet of eight B747-400F/ERF aircraft for its own operations as well as on behalf of other airlines.

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, says: “We’re delighted to be working with ACT Airlines as it continues to expand its freighter operation. The demand for air cargo is beginning to show signs of revival again and LCI intends to play an important role going forward in this market, providing good quality dedicated freighters, such as factory-built Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft, on lease to existing and new customers around the world.”

Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired fixed wing and rotary aircraft with a value of around US$6 billion. LCI’s 26-strong fixed wing fleet currently comprises a combination of Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier aircraft, both deployed and on order. LCI Helicopters has a fleet of 90 new helicopters, delivered and ordered, including the Finmeccanica AW139, AW169 and AW189, and Airbus Helicopters H175 and H225 – as well as the H225e for which it is a launch customer.

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