Rotortrade, a global pre-owned helicopter dealership, has announced the official operational launch of RotorLease in 2026, one year after its initial unveiling at Verticon.

This launch marks the opening of Rotortrade's dedicated US leasing business. RotorLease has been established as a structured leasing platform within the US, designed to originate, manage and administer leasing transactions as part of Rotortrade's broader financing strategy.

RotorLease enters its operational phase with a dedicated corporate structure and an experienced team of aviation finance and leasing professionals responsible for building and managing a rotorcraft leasing portfolio. While structured in the US, the platform is designed to support transactions in coordination with Rotortrade's international network.

RotorLease begins operations with an initial portfolio of seven aircraft, comprising Leonardo AW169, Leonardo AW139 and Airbus H145 helicopters. The company has established a medium-term objective to structure its fleet primarily around the Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW139 platforms. These aircraft types have been selected based on sustained demand across EMS, offshore, utility and governmental missions.

The company offers operating leases (dry leases) and financial leases structured as lease-to-purchase agreements, with tenures ranging from one year to five- to seven-year mid-term agreements. Through these solutions, RotorLease enables operators to optimise capital allocation while maintaining operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. The platform also incorporates structured financing mechanisms, including country-specific compliance frameworks aligned with the Cape Town Convention.

The operational launch of RotorLease represents a further step in Rotortrade's evolution as an integrated helicopter lifecycle solutions provider. Following the opening of its Airbus-approved MRO centre in Tallard, France in 2024 and the development of its FAA Part 145-certified MRO facility in the United States, Rotortrade now formalises its financing and asset management capabilities through a dedicated leasing structure. This approach reinforces the company's three-pillar model: helicopter sales, maintenance services and financing solutions.

RotorLease will operate on a global basis, with progressive deployment across high-demand markets in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa. The structure leverages Rotortrade's international footprint and long-standing relationships with major OEMs to secure access to high-quality assets and ensure strong technical and operational support throughout the aircraft lifecycle.

Commenting on the launch, Philippe Lubrano, founder and CEO of Rotortrade, states: “One year after announcing RotorLease, we are now officially commencing operations. Establishing a dedicated US leasing entity allows us to structure transactions with financial discipline and strong compliance standards, while supporting our broader international activities. Our objective is to build a focused portfolio centred on high-demand platforms such as the H145 and AW139, and to provide operators with transparent and efficient capital solutions. RotorLease complements Rotortrade's integrated model across sales, maintenance and financing.”

With its first aircraft entering the portfolio in 2026, RotorLease strengthens Rotortrade's structured leasing capabilities while supporting the group's long-term commitment to capital efficiency and operational reliability across global markets.