Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., (SMFL) and LCI Investment (LCI) have announced that their joint venture helicopter leasing company, SMFL LCI Helicopters (SMFLH), has entered into an agreement to acquire Macquarie Rotorcraft Limited (MRL), the helicopter leasing business of Macquarie Asset Management. The financial details of the transaction remain commercially confidential.
Founded in 2013, MRL is a global helicopter leasing firm with a fleet of approximately 120 leased aircraft, which are used in offshore transportation, emergency medical services, search and rescue, and utility operations. Following the acquisition, SMFLH and LCI will expand their combined fleet to around 310 aircraft, further broadening their customer base and exploring synergies with their existing businesses. The newly merged operation will be managed by LCI.
In 2020, SMFL and LCI, an aerospace subsidiary of Libra Group, established their joint venture, SMFLH, for helicopter operating leasing. SMFL further strengthened its partnership in 2023 by acquiring a 35% stake in LCI, which has contributed to the steady growth of the joint venture.
This acquisition marks a significant step towards the expansion of both SMFL's and LCI's presence in the helicopter leasing sector. With increasing demand anticipated in the market, the companies aim to build a strong position and continue to expand their business and customer base within this dynamic industry.
