Kenya-based operator Everett Aviation has leased two H145 helicopters from newly-created LEVL Leasing. The helicopters are being deployed onto an EMS contract in Kenya funded by the UK government.

LEVL Leasing is a joint venture between Dublin, Ireland-headquartered helicopter lease servicing company Lobo Leasing and Germany-based aviation financier EMP Structured Assets.

The company has already secured a $78.6 million equity commitment from a fund in Switzerland that, together with debt leverage where appropriate, will be invested in EMS, firefighting, SAR and other ESG-compliant transactions. The Everett transaction represents the first piece of business for the fund.

Lobo CEO Dan Roberts says: “We are thrilled to have formalised our relationship with EMP through the formation of LEVL Leasing. This partnership has been years in the making and creates a hugely powerful combination capable of delivering through a single platform the full variety of leasing products required by the helicopter and emerging vertical lift industries. The Everett H145 transaction is the perfect start and represents a great opportunity to embark on our strategy of building a dedicated ESG compliant portfolio.”

Both LEVL partners have decades of experience in aviation and are already working together to deliver competitive leasing options to operators with new and used equipment.

EMP executive vice president Ulf Hüttmeyer adds: “Backed by the equity commitment of the fund and enriched by the proven capabilities of Lobo Leasing, we are very enthusiastic to enter into the joint venture and grow LEVL Leasing.”