Post Year: 2025

Operating lessor LCI and its partner Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd (SMFL), have secured $420m of loan facilities from four global financial institutions to fund social projects.

The loan facilities have been executed with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Mitsubishi UFJ Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank, and Bank of America. The funds drawn under these facilities will used mainly to buy emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) helicopters.

Alan O’Rourke, chief financial officer (CFO), LCI said: “We salute the pioneering role played by the four leading financial institutions in committing funds which can be used for social projects.” LCI is proud that the lessor and its partners are “collectively making a real and tangible difference in supporting social projects and saving lives”, added the CFO.

LCI and SMFL launched a Social Loan Framework under their joint venture in November 2023.  The framework was established in accordance with the internationally agreed Social Loan Principles developed in 2023 by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA). It holds the highest rating of Social 1(F) from the Japan Credit Rating Agency.

The framework reflects SMFL’s long term commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the company policy ‘The SMFL Way’, according to the lessor. “Helicopters in EMS and SAR support local communities and align with ‘Good health and well-being’ (SDG3), ‘Industry, innovation and infrastructure’ (SDG9) and ‘Sustainable cities and communities’ (SDG11),” it said.

Meanwhile, last month LCI has placed one Airbus H145D3 with helicopter services provider NHV Group to be deployed on marine pilot transfer (MPT) operations with the Dutch pilot organisation.

Helicopters are “a unique and powerful force for good” and the industry can do more to promote their many benefits. That’s the upbeat assessment of Alan O’Rourke, chief financial officer (CFO) of LCI, speaking after the operating lessor revealed it had secured $420m of loan facilities from four global financial institutions to fund social projects.

“They have a capability set, particularly with regards to vertical take-off and landing, and also hover, which simply cannot be replicated elsewhere,” O’Rourke tells Helicopter Investor. “As such, they provide a unique and powerful force for good. Funding social projects that enable mission-critical, life-saving operations is an integral part of LCI’s responsibility programme.”

Emergency medical services

In pursuit of that plan, LCI revealed this week that, together with partner Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co. Ltd (SMFL), it has executed $420m of loan facilities with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Mitsubishi UFJ Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank and Bank of America. The funds drawn under these facilities will be used mainly to buy emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) helicopters.

More than half LCI’s fleet is already deployed on EMS or SAR missions worldwide. The lessor says the missions align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular ‘Good health and well-being’ (SDG3), ‘Industry, innovation and infrastructure’ (SDG9) and ‘Sustainable cities and communities’ (SDG11).

O’Rourke tells us: “Leveraging our position as a conduit between financial institutions, manufacturers, operators and end-users, we are committed to enabling the growth of EMS and SAR operations in the years ahead.”

Profitability and reliability

But how does the profitability and reliability of social projects compare with other sectors of the industry, such as offshore support? “All our work in the EMS and SAR sectors is as robust – both commercially and operationally – as the leasing programmes we deliver in other sectors,” he tells us. “It should be noted that considerable knowledge, experience and financial expertise is required for specialised EMS and SAR helicopters and their associated equipment, and this is an area where LCI is proud of its capabilities.”

Commercial funding and delivery models, such as the one provided by LCI, demonstrate that the public-private provision of social programmes can be done in an efficient, long-term and mutually successful manner, he added.

The lessor remains committed to continuing its social projects as enabled through its helicopter leasing operations. “We have every intention of growing the number of helicopters in our fleet that deliver these life-saving missions,” says O’Rourke.

‘More capable helicopters’

For example, last November LCI bought seven new Leonardo AW169 helicopters, in EMS configuration, for lease to Babcock Canada as part of a move to upgrade critical cover in the region. The helicopters are being placed in LCI’s joint venture with SMFL. 

Speaking at the time, Nigel Leishman, chief commercial officer, LCI told Helicopter Investor: “The emergency medical services market in North America is being upgraded with more capable helicopters, and this is an excellent opportunity for LCI to support the growth of its longstanding partner, Babcock, in Canada.” 

Win friends and influence people

Deals like this offer not just commercial and social project opportunities but also the potential to spread wider awareness of this vital activity. Promoting the role of both the company and the industry in delivering social projects – such as EMS, SAR and firefighting missions (particularly in light of the fatal fires ravaging California) – will help to win friends and influence people well beyond the aviation industry, it believes.

“At a broader level, there is much the helicopter industry can do to promote the unique set of its capabilities, operations and incredibly skilled people,” O’Rourke tells us. “We trust that news of our industry’s collective efforts in mission-critical services can spread beyond it, and into broader aviation circles and even beyond.”

Read the full RotorHub Internationa feature published in the February/March 2025 issue below.