LCI Helicopters, the helicopter leasing arm of the Libra Group, has entered into an agreement to lease a second new AgustaWestland AW139 to HeliService international, a leading provider of offshore services in the North Sea and Baltic regions, as it continues with its expansion plans.

The new aircraft will be delivered in March and will join HeliService’s first AW139 delivered in November last year, also on lease from LCI. Both helicopters have been built to HeliService’s exacting specification, including dual hoists, and will be operated primarily in support of the growing offshore wind industry.

Established in 1987, HeliService international GmbH, based in Northern Germany, currently operates a fleet of AW139, S-76, AW Grand and MBB BO 105 helicopters on missions in Northern Europe and also in Antarctica and the Arctic.

LCI Executive ‎Chairman, Crispin Maunder, says: “We are pleased to be able to react quickly to HeliService’s need for additional capacity as they expand their operations in Northern Germany. Their focus on the wind farm industry provides LCI with further diversification within its lease portfolio.”

Eberhard Herr, Managing Director at HeliService international GmbH says: “Working with the LCI team has been a very positive experience, both in the smooth delivery of our first aircraft and now as they support our continued growth.
“Our negotiations have been constructive and expedient, driven by the goal of achieving fair solutions for both parties. I am sure we have found the right partner for the expansion of our company.”

LCI’s helicopter division comprises a fleet of delivered and ordered helicopters approaching 90 new units, including the market-leading AgustaWestland AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters and next-generation Airbus Helicopters EC175 and the newly-unveiled Airbus EC225e, for which LCI is a launch customer.

LCI announced almost US$1 billion in new orders at the HAI Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California, last year and has also attracted investment of more than US$100 million from KKR Financial Holdings, LLC, to address growing oil and gas sector demand, as well as search and rescue and air ambulance services.

Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired fixed wing and rotary aircraft with a combined value of approaching US$6 billion.

LCIH will be attending this year’s HAI Heli-Expo Orlando. Executive Chairman, Crispin Maunder and CEO, Michael Platt will be present along with the LCI Helicopters’ marketing team at Booth #4604.