Milestone aviation provides four new H135 helicopters to ADAC supporting German Army pilot training

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Dublin, Ireland — March 14, 2018 – Milestone Aviation Group (“Milestone”), a GE Capital Aviation Services company (“GECAS”) and the global leader in helicopter leasing announced the lease of four Airbus H135 helicopters to ADAC Luftfahrt Technik GmbH (“ADAC”) in Germany. Two aircraft delivered this month with two more scheduled to deliver in April and May 2018; all aircraft were sourced from Milestone’s light-twin order book with Airbus Helicopters.

Attracted by the possibility of outsourcing part of their mission training requirements and accessing new technology without capital expense, the German Army sought proposals from helicopter maintenance and repair organizations to provide a turn-key solution for their aircraft needs. ADAC, with their proven record of supporting a fleet of over 50 aircraft, partnered with Milestone to win the contract. Within a short period of time, Milestone was able to provide four new H135s fully compliant with the German Army’s specifications and with an operating lease structure that guaranteed full use of the aircraft within the army’s budget.

“Milestone is pleased to partner with ADAC in providing a unique solution to the German Army, enabling the introduction of new technology aircraft in pilot training,” said Milestone President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Rosenthal. “We continue to believe that the lease solution combined with a skilled maintenance provider is a successful combination for government training programs.”

“Milestone is very experienced in structuring deals and offering aircraft from their order book with the OEMs and was successful in delivering customized aircraft for this mission within two months of contract signing,” said ADAC Luftfahrt Technik GmbH CEO Thomas Huetsch. “We are thankful to Milestone for their support in bringing new technology aircraft to this mission.”

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is a leading global helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

 

Media Contact for Milestone:

James Luton
Global Communications Leader
+1-203-842-5887
james.luton@gecas.com

Milestone Aviation leases eight AW139 helicopters to Kingwing supporting expanded emergency medical services in China

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Transaction Facilitated by Milestone’s Leasing Platform in Tianjin Free Trade Zone

Dublin, Ireland Jan 22, 2018 – Milestone Aviation Group (“Milestone”), a GE Capital Aviation Services company (“GECAS”) and the global leader in helicopter leasing announced today the delivery and lease of eight AW139 helicopters to Shanghai Kingwing Aviation Co. Ltd.(“Kingwing”). The medium twin-engine helicopters will join Kingwing’s existing fleet of 32 helicopters providing emergency medical services (“EMS”) in China and will facilitate expanded services to twenty-two provinces nationwide.

Established in 2006, Kingwing is the largest EMS helicopter operator in China, not only providing EMS services, but also aircraft hosting, consignment stock, crew training and helicopter maintenance services. The company is well placed to achieve continued growth in China’s developing helicopter industry as the country relaxes airspace restrictions and promotes expansion of EMS services.

Milestone leased its first helicopter in China in 2014, and GECAS has been active in China since 1988. In 2017, the companies collaborated in establishment of a leasing platform in the Tianjin Free Trade Zone. Milestone’s depth of knowledge and experience in this area will allow it to better serve helicopter operators based in China.

“We are delighted to partner with Kingwing on the largest helicopter lease placement ever in China,” said Milestone President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Rosenthal, adding “We have long believed China was prime for growth in civil helicopters and look forward to supporting capable operators such as Kingwing as they provide critical life-saving helicopter services across China.”

“We are grateful to Milestone for their support in this very large and complex transaction” said Kingwing’s President Zou Jianming. “China is a complex and fast-moving business environment. Milestone and General Electric, with significant resources in country, are preferred partners to deliver on a transaction of this size and scope. I look forward to working with the Milestone team as a close partner in the years to come.”

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is a leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing. With 50 years of aviation finance experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting. GECAS owns or services a fleet of nearly 2,000 aircraft (1,673 fixed wing/ 324 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves more than 250 customers across 79 countries from a network of 26 offices. gecas.com

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

 

Media Contact for Milestone:
James Luton
Global Communications Leader
+1-203-842-5887
james.luton@gecas.com

Milestone Aviation Group supports Heligo’s growth in India

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– Five additional helicopters leased in 2017 –

Dublin, Ireland, Oct 16, 2017 – Milestone Aviation Group (“Milestone”) announced today the delivery of a Leonardo AW139 to Heligo Charters Private Limited (Heligo) in India. The delivery marks the fifth helicopter leased to Heligo in 2017, increasing the Mumbai-based operator’s fleet and enabling expansion of both on- and offshore services. Milestone, the global leader in helicopter leasing, began its lease partnership with Heligo in 2014 and has played a critical role in expanding the operators fleet to 15 aircraft, eight of which are on lease from Milestone.

Of the five helicopters delivered in 2017, the Leonardo AW139 and two Airbus AS365 Dauphins will operate offshore for the oil and gas industry while one Bell 412EP and one Leonardo AW109SP will expand Heligo’s onshore VIP charter services. The helicopters were sourced from Milestone’s installed fleet and transitioned from prior operations in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Heligo at this important time in their company’s growth,” said Milestone Vice President Commercial Michael York. “Heligo has grown to become one of the largest helicopter operators in India by providing highly skilled service through stringent safety standards. We are pleased that they have entrusted Milestone to help them grow their fleet and diversify their client base.”

“We highly value our relationship with Milestone. Their partnership approach gave Heligo access to a diverse fleet of helicopters and the flexibility to bid contracts without taking asset risk” said Chief Executive Officer, Captain K Padmanabhan. “Milestone has provided us with much more than a financial solution, their support has been a central element of our growth strategy, enabling us to grow aggressively but prudently.”

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

About GE Capital Aviation Services

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing.  With 50 years of aviation finance experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.  GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (1,660 fixed wing/ 306 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves ~264 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 26 offices. gecas.com

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure, and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. ge.com

About Heligo Charters Private Limited

Heligo Charters Pvt. Ltd is in the business of providing offshore helicopter services to the oil & gas industry in India. Formed and operated by a team of highly experienced aviation professionals in offshore helicopter services, the Company is a part J V Gokal Group (JVG). A completely privately held group, JVG’s foray into air logistics and aviation engineering since 2007 for non-scheduled charter services, is a strategic extension of their broad spectrum Indian onshore and overseas businesses, which cover engineering, software, financials, infrastructure, tea, commodities and other niche initiatives.

Media Contact for Milestone:
James Luton
Global Communications Leader
+1-203-842-5887
james.luton@gecas.com

 

Milestone Aviation Provides Alidaunia two AW169 helicopters for emergency medical services operations

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Dublin, Ireland, Oct 3, 2017 – Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has entered an agreement to lease two AW169 helicopters to Alidaunia S.R.L. of Italy, to support their emergency medical services (“HEMS”) in Italy. Alidaunia has provided HEMS services in Italy for more than 20 years and Milestone is proud to bring latest technology aircraft to this service. One of the helicopters provided by Milestone is an extension of a current operating lease, and the second AW169 will be delivered from Milestone’s order book with Leonardo Helicopters in 2018.

“Milestone is very proud to continue our strong partnership with Alidaunia, a long established and respected helicopter operator and service provider, and the launch customer for our AW169 order book,” said Milestone Commercial Vice President for Europe, Sebastien Moulin. “We are very pleased to bring new technology aircraft to Alidaunia’s longstanding EMS contract in Italy. We look forward to continuing to work with Alidaunia as they serve this essential function for the Italian people for years to come.”

“Alidaunia has built a strong track record in serving several Italian regions and their EMS needs. Our lease partnership with Milestone continues to be a pillar for our company and our mission,” said Robert Pucillo, CEO of Alidaunia S.R.L.. “Milestone understands our business as an operator and service provider. Their flexible financial solution and considerable expertise in delivering new aircraft allowed us to pursue the introduction of a new type into our fleet while minimizing our financial and operational risk.”

Notes to Editors:

About Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing with 50 years of experience. The GECAS portfolio comprises a wide range of aircraft types including narrowbodies, widebodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters. GECAS offers multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.  GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (~1,700 fixed wing/ ~250 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves ~ 270 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 25 offices. www.gecas.com

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About Alidaunia S.R.L.
Alidaunia, founded in Foggia on the 1st March 1976, started its activity as fixed wing operator of aerial work.
In 1984 the Company introduced the first helicopter in the fleet and was granted with the License for Passengers Public Transport (TPP) by the Italian Ministry of the Transportation. Since 1985, authorized by Ministry of Transportation and with the sponsorship of Puglia regional government, Alidaunia guarantees the daily connection between Foggia and the Tremiti Islands, a service of remarkable social utility. Since 1986 is the only Italian company operating line scheduled flights with helicopters; such line service to the Tremiti Islands is integrated by Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), available 24/7, in favor of the population of the Islands. Since 1995 Alidaunia has provided to different public contractors HEMS services. Nowadays, such services are going to be all operated with AW169. Today, Alidaunia operates in many different areas within the framework of helicopter business. Specifically, public transportation and aerial work (EASA IT.AOC.063), Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (EASA IT.MG.0063), MRO (EASA IT.145.0101), Design Organization Approval (EASA DOA AP.018), airport and heliport handling, security and management, fire-fighting, fuel bunkering.

Media Contact for Milestone:
James Luton
Global Communications Leader
+1-203-842-5887
james.luton@gecas.com

Milestone Aviation provides two medium helicopters to Faasa for firefighting missions

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Dublin, Ireland, Oct 3, 2017 – Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to lease two B412SP helicopters to FAASA Aviacion S.A. of Spain to support their expanded firefighting services. The two helicopters owned by Milestone, were previously on lease to a Brazilian operator and utilized in oil and gas support missions. The helicopters are currently in Spain, where FAASA is carrying out reconfiguration work to facilitate the new firefighting mission.

“Milestone is proud to begin a new partnership with FAASA, a long established and respected helicopter operator and service provider,” said Milestone Commercial Vice President for Europe, Sebastien Moulin. “We are very pleased to provide the helicopters that meet their needs, and again prove the versatility of this asset class transitioning helicopters from a primarily oil and gas mission to a firefighting mission.”

“FAASA has a fifty-year history of providing safe and reliable helicopter utility services,” said Hector Tamarit Almagro, CEO. “We operate a fleet of over 80 helicopters in both Europe and South America– Milestone is an ideal leasing partner for us with a truly global team and a diverse fleet of helicopters. We look forward to continuing to partner with Milestone as we innovate our business.”

 

Notes to Editors: 

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)

GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing with 50 years of experience. The GECAS portfolio comprises a wide range of aircraft types including narrowbodies, widebodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters. GECAS offers multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.  GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (~1,700 fixed wing/ ~250 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves ~ 270 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 25 offices. www.gecas.com

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

 

Media Contact for Milestone:

James Luton
Global Communications Leader
+1-203-842-5887
james.luton@gecas.com

Milestone Aviation and Babcock Mission Critical Services celebrate over fifty helicopters on lease and six years of lease partnership

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Dublin, Ireland, September 28, 2017 – Milestone Aviation Group Limited (Milestone) and Babcock Mission Critical Services Ltd. announce the sixth anniversary of their lease partnership. Milestone, the global leader in helicopter leasing, has served Babcock (and its predecessor companies) since 2011, first providing for the purchase/lease-back of three light-twin emergency medical service helicopters operated in Spain and Portugal.

Today, Milestone leases more than 50 helicopters into Babcock’s fleet ranging from light twins to heavies. Over half the helicopters operate in emergency medical services, police surveillance, and search and rescue missions. Most recently, Milestone introduced the H175 helicopter to Babcock’s fleet – the operator’s first super-medium aircraft – with the delivery of three aircraft from the lessor’s order book with Airbus. Milestone expects to deliver two additional H175s to Babcock before the end of the year.

“We are extremely proud to have expanded our partnership with Babcock over the past six years,” said Milestone President and CEO, Daniel Rosenthal. “The leases signed with Babcock reflect our customer focus, unparalleled suite of service offerings and long-term approach to developing business partnerships. Babcock has generated strong growth with their focus on mission-critical operations and government support services. We look forward to growing our relationship with Babcock and supporting them for years to come.”

“We are delighted to continue building on our long-term relationship with Milestone,” said Andrea Cicero, Managing Director, Babcock Mission Critical Services. “Milestone’s financial strength and stability as part of GE coupled with their market knowledge and diverse fleet makes them a perfect leasing partner. We appreciate their ability to think long-term and simultaneously move quickly to execute on tight timeframes. The partnership with Milestone allows us to better serve our customers and deliver value to our shareholders as the market continues to evolve.”

The Babcock-Milestone partnership is broad and diverse. Milestone has provided aircraft and operating lease financing on Babcock helicopters serving EMS, SAR, O&G and police surveillance missions utilising modern light-twin helicopters, mediums, super-mediums and heavy aircraft.

 

Notes to Editors:

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus a loan portfolio and debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

 

About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)

GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing.  With 50 years of aviation finance experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.  GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (1,660 fixed wing / 306 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves more than 250 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 26 offices. gecas.com

 

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

 

About Babcock

For more than a century, Babcock has been trusted to deliver bespoke, highly-skilled engineering services. We help customers in the UK and around the world to improve the capability, reliability and availability of their most critical assets within the four market sectors of Marine, Land, Aviation, and Nuclear, underpinned by a deep understanding of technology integration, unique infrastructure, and specialist training.

Mission Critical Services, which sits within Babcock’s Aviation sector, is one of the world’s leading providers of aerial services for mission-critical operations. Babcock’s fleet of Emergency Service aircraft, operated by highly experienced crews and supported by skilled staff, executes around 90,000 missions each year, providing critical air ambulance, search and rescue, firefighting, police and civil protection services. Babcock also operates helicopters serving the oil and gas sector.

 

Media Contact for Milestone:

James Luton
GE Capital Aviation Services
+1 203 842 5887
james.luton@gecas.com

 

Media Contact for Babcock:

Lorena Rodrigo
Babcock Mission Critical Services
+44 7516458880
Lorena.Rodrigo@babcockinternational.com

Milestone Aviation Places Order for AW169 and AW139 Helicopters

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–Contract announcement for six AW139s and three AW169s valued at 90 million euro–

–Deliveries expected in 2017 and 2018 to perform a range of EMS and parapublic missions–

–The order reaffirms Milestone’s commitment to the Leonardo “family” of new generation helicopters adding to an order-book consisting of AW139s, AW169s and AW189s–

Rome, 7 March 2017 – Leonardo and Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), a leader in helicopter leasing, today announced a contract for nine aircraft – six AW139 and three AW169 helicopters – expected to deliver in 2017 and 2018. The order, valued at €90 million, reaffirms Milestone’s commitment to the Leonardo “family” with an order book now consisting of AW169, AW139 and AW189 helicopters.

“Milestone has had great success with both the AW139 and AW169 in 2016, and we continue to see an array of opportunities for these aircraft across missions around the globe,” said Daniel Rosenthal, President and CEO of Milestone. “The majority of the helicopters in this order have already been placed with customers to support contracts beginning in 2017 and 2018.”

Milestone leased seven AW169 aircraft in 2016 into geographically diverse emergency medical service segments, reinforcing the lessor’s focus on enabling life-saving missions globally. Milestone also leased 11 AW139s in 2016, with most of those helicopters serving non-oil and gas missions, proving the versatility of the aircraft.

“We are thrilled Milestone believes strongly in the capability and value delivered by Leonardo’s “family” of new technology, efficient, multi-role helicopters,” said Daniele Romiti, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We look forward to Milestone’s partnership in growing the fleet and operator base for the AW169, AW139 and AW189 through innovative lease and debt solutions.”

About Milestone Aviation Group

Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com

About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)

GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing with 50 years of experience. The GECAS portfolio comprises a wide range of aircraft types including narrowbodies, widebodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters. GECAS offers multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting.  GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (~1,700 fixed wing/ ~250 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves ~ 270 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 25 offices. www.gecas.com

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

Media Contact for Milestone: 

Nathan Riggs

Kekst and Company

+1-212-521-4804

nathan.riggs@kekst.com

 

WSJ: GE to Acquire Milestone Aviation for $1.78 Billion

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By

Updated Oct. 13, 2014 2:30 p.m. ET
General Electric Co. GE -1.32% on Monday agreed to pay $1.78 billion for the world’s largest helicopter leasing company, linking its interests in aviation and energy and highlighting a fast-growing specialty finance area that has attracted some of the largest names in private equity.The proposed acquisition of Ireland-based Milestone Aviation Group Ltd. gives GE access to the market for almost 2,000 large helicopters ferrying workers and supplies to offshore oil and gas platforms. The U.S. company’s engines power some of the new generation of rotorcraft costing as much as $25 million apiece that are coming into service over the next several years.

The helicopter leasing business barely existed five years ago, but significant investment has helped sell out production for some machines until 2016. Operators are eager to secure more capacity and lower capital costs as they expand in other areas such as providing search and rescue services for governments.

Houston-based Bristow Group Inc., BRS +0.08% one of the top three global operators, plans to expand its rentals to around a third of its fleet from a quarter at present.

GE Capital Chief Executive Keith Sherin said the Milestone addition will deepen the company’s expertise in two critical industries—aviation and oil and gas. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News

Richard Santulli will be chairman of the helicopter leasing business and become an officer of GE.Associated Press

Milestone was founded in 2010 by Richard Santulli, an aviation industry veteran who also started business-jet operator NetJets Inc. With backing from the Jordan Co. and others, it amassed a $2.8 billion fleet of helicopters and placed orders valued at around $3 billion. Mr. Santulli will become chairman of the helicopter leasing business within GE Capital Aviation Services, or Gecas, and become a GE corporate officer.

“There will be more interest in the sector, in what we are doing, simply because GE stepped in,” said Michael Platt, chief executive of Lease Corporation International Aviation Ltd., another Ireland-based aviation company that leases aircraft and helicopters. KKR Financial Holdings LLC this year also invested $100 million in LCI’s helicopter arm that has commitments in place to grow its fleet to 90 helicopters.

Other entrants to the helicopter leasing business include Waypoint Holdings Ltd., backed by funds linked to Michael Dell and Soros Fund Management LLC, and Lobo Leasing Ltd., which is backed by Blackstone Group BX -0.95% LP. Babcock International Group BAB.LN +0.87% PLC in May bought Avincis SA, one of the world’s largest commercial helicopter operators, for $1.5 billion.

The lessors’ growth has spurred demand for the big four helicopter makers— Airbus Group EADSY -0.18% NV, the Sikorsky Aircraft arm of United Technologies Corp.UTX -0.63% , Finmeccanica FNC.MI -0.58% SpA’s AgustaWestland, and Textron Inc.TXT -2.74% ’s Bell Helicopters as they introduce new models to satisfy demand for more modern and safer commercial rotorcraft that often have to fly long distances over water to ferry oil workers to rigs.

The proposed Milestone deal, which is expected to close next year, comes as industry experts worry that growth in the airliner leasing business may stall. Cheap interest rates have funneled billions of dollars in new capital from private-equity funds and banks in China and Japan, depressing rental rates on some models as leasing firms compete for business.

Another attraction of the business model used by Bristow and other operators is that two-third of their revenues come from fixed monthly fees paid by big oil exploration and service companies such as Total SA FP.FR -0.76% . The companies are paid whether they fly or not, and pass on fuel costs to their clients, making them more stable than commercial passenger airlines.

Write to Doug Cameron at doug.cameron@wsj.com, Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com and Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com

New York Times: G.E. Aircraft Unit Buys Helicopter Leasing Business

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By 

 

The aircraft leasing unit of General Electric announced on Monday that it would buy the Milestone Aviation Group, which leases helicopters, for $1.78 billion.

“The addition of Milestone will deepen our domain expertise in aviation and oil and gas, two critical G.E. industries,” Keith S. Sherin, the chief executive of GE Capital, said in a statement.

The acquisition of Milestone, which is based in Dublin, is in line with GE Capital’s strategy of focusing on industrial businesses including energy, aviation, oil and gas and health care, while reducing its overall size by shedding other assets, mostly related to consumer finance, the statement said.

Helicopter finance represents a fast-growing sector in aviation, according to the statement. Since Milestone was founded in August 2010 by Richard T. Santulli, a longtime aviation and leasing industry executive, and other members of the former NetJets executive management team, the company has grown into a leading helicopter leasing company.

Milestone’s fleet now includes 168 helicopters worth $2.8 billion as well as a strong forward order and option book of $3 billion with a variety of helicopter manufacturers, the statement said. The helicopters in Milestone’s fleet are primarily used in offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services and mining, as well as other industries, and are leased to 31 operators in 25 countries.

Mr. Santulli will serve as chairman of the helicopter leasing business and will become an officer of G.E.

The deal is expected to close next year.