The joint venture of Sumitomo Mitsui Finance & Leasing Co., Ltd. and LCI Investment Limited – SMFL LCI Helicopters Limited (SMFLH) – has signed an agreement to acquire Macquarie Rotorcraft Limited (MRL), Macquarie Asset Management’s helicopter leasing business.The details of the transaction are commercial in confidence.

Established in 2013, MRL is a global helicopter leasing company with a fleet of around 120 leased aircraft, operating in offshore transportation, emergency medical services, search and rescue and utility markets. Following the acquisition, SMFLH and LCI will increase the number of aircraft owned, managed and on order to approximately 310 aircraft, with plans to expand their customer base and create synergies with their existing operations. The newly combined business will be managed by LCI.

SMFL and LCI, an aerospace subsidiary of Libra Group, established joint venture company SMFLH for helicopter operating leasing in 2020. Subsequently, in 2023, SMFL acquired a 35 per cent stake in LCI and has achieved steady growth. Through this acquisition, SMFLH aims to further expand its business and customer bases and establish a strong position in the helicopter leasing industry, where demand is expected to grow.