Milestone extends leases for 11 H225 helicopters operated by Air Center

Milestone Aviation Group has signed long-term lease extensions with US-based Air Center Helicopters for 11 Airbus H225 helicopters, securing the aircraft through to June 2033.

Announced on 15 October, the agreements take effect from May 2027 and cover aircraft supporting government, utility, and other mission-critical operations across the USA and at strategic locations worldwide.

Air Center, headquartered in Texas, is the largest H225 operator in the Americas. Its fleet supports a range of specialist missions, including services for US government agencies, strategic programs, airlift operations, space mission recovery, and personnel transportation.

The extensions will help maintain the availability of the aircraft for Air Center’s existing contracts and ongoing operational requirements.

“We are pleased to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with Air Center through this transaction,” said Sebastien Moulin, Chief Commercial Officer at Milestone. He added that the agreements “underscore the strength of our partnership and the continued value of the H225 platform in supporting complex and demanding operations”.

Chris Dalton, Air Center’s Chief Operating Officer, said the relationship with Milestone was “vital to our success”, adding that the lease amendments would enable the company to continue providing services to customers with the H225.

“Milestone’s flexibility and cooperation make them a vital strategic partner,” Dalton said. “Securing this continued partnership keeps Air Center’s most critical assets in place through all of our current contract terms and beyond.”

The H225 is Airbus Helicopters’ heavy twin-engine platform, used for demanding transport and special-mission roles. The lease extensions provide continuity for Air Center’s operations as it maintains its H225 fleet under existing customer commitments.

Kitz-Air recently acquired three Airbus H225s for aerial firefighting.