2

Waypoint Leasing closes acquisition from First Reserve, completes Lider transaction

Waypoint Leasing Press Release | December 18, 2014

Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 24 seconds.

Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited, a leading global helicopter leasing company, has announced that it has closed the acquisition of a portfolio of 31 in-demand, new technology aircraft from First Reserve, the largest global private equity and infrastructure investment firm exclusively focused on energy. The portfolio includes 18 AgustaWestland AW139s, 11 Sikorsky S-92s and two Sikorsky S76C++ aircraft models. All aircraft are subject to long-term lease agreements with the CHC Group Ltd. (NYSE:HELI), in support of global oil and gas and search and rescue operations.
 
“We are pleased to close such a significant transaction over a very short period,” said Ed Washecka, Chief Executive Officer of Waypoint. “Waypoint has both the operational expertise and access to capital to execute both large and small scale transactions across a variety of markets very efficiently. We continue to see strong underlying demand for new technology helicopters in support of oil and gas production facilities and we remain well-positioned to meet our customers’ needs.”
 
Alan Jenkins, CFO of Waypoint, added, “We have successfully executed on our growth plans this year, meeting our goal of over $1 billion in assets, and look forward to further growth in 2015 and beyond. At the same time, we continue to diversify our financing relationships and have taken on very attractive export credit agency debt through the 31 aircraft transaction.”
 
Through this acquisition, Waypoint increases its current fleet to 85 aircraft and total assets in excess of $1.1 billion. The aircraft are on lease and generating revenue with 11 customers operating in 20 countries around the world in oil and gas, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting, governmental support and other operations. Additionally, Waypoint has firm and option orders with aircraft manufacturers for additional helicopters valued at more than $1 billion at list prices, to be delivered over the next five years.
In a separate announcement, Waypoint confirmed that it has closed its first two aircraft under a multi-aircraft agreement reached with Lider Taxi Aereo S/A, the leading provider of helicopter services to the Brazilian offshore energy industry. The initial transaction included the purchase and leaseback of two Sikorsky 76 C++ helicopters. Both aircraft operate in support of offshore oil and gas operations in Brazil under long-term contracts.
 
“This marks our first transaction with Lider and reflects our efforts to build long-term relationships with operators in Brazil, a significant helicopter leasing market,” said Waypoint Leasing CEO Ed Washecka. “We are pleased to be working with the talented team at Lider and are confident it marks the beginning of a long and productive partnership.”
 
“As Brazil’s largest oil and gas helicopter operator, we rely on leasing to add strength and diversity to our fleet financing,” said Lider CEO Eduardo Vaz. “Waypoint has provided us with customized, flexible terms on operating leases that enable us to consistently meet the needs of our customers.”

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HAI Heli-Expo 2024 Recap

Notice a spelling mistake or typo?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Report an error or typo

Have a story idea you would like to suggest?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Suggest a story