Waypoint Leasing to surpass $1bn of assets through 31 aircraft acquisition from First Reserve

Waypoint Leasing, a leading global helicopter leasing company, has reached an agreement with First Reserve, the largest global private equity and infrastructure investment firm exclusively focused on energy, to acquire a portfolio of 31 in-demand, new technology aircraft. 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 (HELI), in support of global oil and gas and search and rescue operations. In addition to the 31 aircraft acquisition, Waypoint also announced that it secured a $75m increase in the equity commitment from its primary sponsors – funds affiliated with MSD Capital, L.P., Soros Fund Management LLC, and Cartesian Capital Group. The increase raises the sponsors’ equity commitment to a total of $450m.