LCI and Sunimoto Mitsui Finance Leasing Company (SMFL) has acquired and committed to 12 helicopters within its pre-existing joint leasing venture. The helicopters, which are worth more than $120 million, expand the partnership's existing fleet less than a year after the joint venture launched.

The new aircraft comprise four Airbus H145s, three Leonardo AW139s and five Leonardo AW169s. These join the 19 helicopters already owned, which are leased around the world for emergency medical services, search and rescue 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, adds: “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.”