Leasing company LCI has put in place a framework agreement for up to 21 light-intermediate AW169, intermediate AW139 and super-medium AW189 helicopters from Leonardo, comprising 10 firm orders and 11 options, to collectively address industry renewal and replacement requirements.

The helicopters will be delivered through to 2028 and will be aimed at EMS, SAR and offshore energy. They will be strategically allocated between LCI and SMFL LCI Helicopters, its joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company.

They will offer superior performance, flexibility and lower CO2 emissions than comparable types and other transportation modes, thereby helping operators to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining mission-critical and life-saving operations. In addition, they will be equipped with the latest suite of navigational and safety features and will also be cleared to use sustainable aviation fuels in the future, leveraging the certification standards already obtained by Leonardo for SAF use.

CEO Jaspal Jandu says: “The helicopter market is seeking to review, renew and replenish capacity in a disciplined and pragmatic way. We want to help customers, operators and end-users to grow sustainably while using some of the most modern, efficient and technologically innovative helicopters in the skies.”

These commitments build upon LCI’s decade long partnership with Leonardo during which it has already taken delivery of over 50 helicopters, making it one of the manufacturer’s largest customers for new equipment.

Stefano Villanti, SVP marketing and sales of Leonardo Helicopters, says: “We are delighted to strengthen our long-standing partnership with LCI as it continues to rely upon our technology to meet multiple requirements in the market. This will bring greater efficiency to LCI’s customers and help it reduce its environmental impact while offering significant performance enhancements.”

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