LCI and SMFL receive funding worth $420 million
The loans, from four global banks, will be used to acquire and lease helicopters for emergency aviation missions
A joint venture leasing program run by aviation leasing firm LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) has executed loans worth US$420 million, for the purpose of acquiring new helicopters.
The loans were granted by four major financial institutions: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Mitsubishi UFJ Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank, and the Bank of America.
The rotorcraft will be configured for emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) operations, and will be used to support social projects.
The joint venture, which launched its social loan framework in November 2023, previously announced plans to acquire 21 helicopters from Airbus in May 2024.
“We salute the pioneering role played by the four leading financial institutions in committing funds which can be used for social projects,” said Alan O’Rourke, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at LCI. “We are proud that we are collectively making a real and tangible difference in supporting social projects and saving lives.”
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.