LCI and MRL announce merger

Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) has announced the merger of Lease Corporation International (LCI) and Macquarie Rotorcraft Limited (MRL).

The two companies, both owned by SMFL, will be merged to create a new helicopter leasing brand, SMFL Helicopters (SMFLH).

The aim of the move is to utilize economies of scale to deliver a more effective service, and merge the two firms’ networks and technical knowledge. It follows regulatory approval from the UK Competition and Markets Authority last November.

SMFLH will continue to serve the 52 operators previously partnered with its precursor organizations, many of whom provide mission-critical operations across the globe, including in fields such as emergency medical services, offshore energy, and search and rescue.

The merger builds on successful past collaborations

The merger follows the success of a joint venture between LCI and MRL launched in 2020, and SMFL’s acquisition of the two companies in 2025.

SMFLH will be headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with additional offices in Limerick, London, and Singapore. John Petkovic has been appointed as the new company’s CEO Designate, and will assume the position of CEO later this year.

“SMFL Helicopters consolidates the deep sector knowledge and operational excellence of two respected lessors within our aviation ecosystem to create a single, powerful platform,” said Shinichiro Watanabe, Senior Managing Executive Officer at SMFL. “SMFL is proud to now be present at scale in this dynamic sector, with a goal of becoming the market leader.”

LCI and SMFL previously $420 million in funding for the purchase of new helicopters from a set of four banks in January 2025.