Waypoint Leasing (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced at the HeliTech International Helicopter Expo that its fleet has surpassed 150 helicopters. 
 
Waypoint’s fleet growth, in the form of order book placements and sale-leaseback transactions, is supported by over 40 employees based in seven offices worldwide.  With growth of its global footprint and increased scale, Waypoint further entrenches its market-leading position across multiple mission segments including emergency medical services (EMS), government & humanitarian services, utility & firefighting, search & rescue (SAR), and oil & gas.

Ed Washecka, Chief Executive Officer said, “2017 thus far has proven to be a very active year for Waypoint as the helicopter market begins to recover from a multi-year downturn. Our team has executed eight new delivery placements with a further three in closing, two sale-leaseback transactions, and over twenty remarketing placements – an impressive achievement by all measures.  The growth of our business has been further bolstered by our success in the debt markets, with the recent closing of a large Term Loan Facility over the summer.  This is all indicative of the hard work of our team, and loyalty of our customers, lenders, and other industry stakeholders.”

Clark McGinn, Senior Vice President of Sales & Relationship Management added, “Some of Waypoint’s most significant accomplishments of the year include our new leasing platform in China (in Tianjin and soon to be Hong Kong), as well as further diversification with new customers.  Waypoint has placed two aircraft with customers in China thus far in 2017, notably a Waypoint new delivery H135 to Shanghai Skyway General Aviation Company (“Skyway”).  Including our progress in the China market, we’ve placed helicopters with nine new customers, with a further five in closing process, further expanding our relationships with customers and diversifying our portfolio both by geography and by mission capability.”

Since its inception in 2013, Waypoint has been active in supporting oil and gas, utility, firefighting and other industrial-focused helicopter operators.  Waypoint’s portfolio includes more than 150 aircraft for 32 customers in 30 countries with total assets in excess of $1.6 billion.  Additionally, Waypoint has firm and option orders with aircraft manufacturers for more than 90 helicopters valued at more than $1.2 billion, to be delivered over the next five years.