Airbus Helicopters and LCI announce their new collaboration initiative for Flight Path
In a significant move for the helicopter industry, LCI, a leading aviation company, has formed a new partnership with Airbus Helicopters. This partnership, dubbed Flight Path, is designed to address future helicopter demand, advance infrastructure, innovate financially, and pursue sustainability goals.
Under this partnership, LCI has ordered five new Airbus H145 helicopters and two H175 helicopters. The first two H145 aircraft will be delivered by the end of March 2024 and will be operated in Oceania, while the H175 helicopters will be operated in South America.
The partnership builds upon a 20-year relationship between the companies and will include investment in further helicopter units, types, and technologies. LCI's current fleet already includes over 50 Airbus helicopters.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated, "This partnership reflects our shared capabilities and commitment to delivering sustainable growth and innovation." Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, added, "This partnership is a commitment to deliver long-term, sustainable capacity solutions."
The first phase of Flight Path will see the committed delivery of at least seven latest-generation Airbus helicopters to LCI by 2025. The H145 helicopters ordered by LCI are being placed in its joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL).
The partnership aims to address long-term capacity, sustainability, and financing requirements of the helicopter industry. There is a growing emphasis on sustainability in this partnership, aligning with LCI's long-term commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and its responsibility goals centered around 10 priority sustainability principles.
Airbus predicts demand for over 16,000 new helicopters by 2041, with a combined value approaching $130 billion. The new helicopters ordered by LCI will be used for various missions including emergency medical services, search and rescue, and offshore wind.
The partnership will leverage the combined knowledge, experience, and analytical capabilities of LCI and Airbus Helicopters. It also aligns with LCI's status as a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland's (ALI) Sustainability Charter.
While specific detailed documents about this partnership are scarce, key relevant insights suggest that the partnership will contribute to the expansion of leasing operations and capability upgrades consistent with the new Airbus helicopter fleet. Additionally, partnerships similar to Clean Aviation's regional MoCs (regional Memoranda of Cooperation) indicate that industry collaborations with regions will help integrate aviation innovation and infrastructure development in Europe.
The partnership also involves sale-and-leaseback financial models that improve capital efficiency and helicopter access for operators. LCI’s joint helicopter leasing venture with SMFL exemplifies the use of innovative financing to stimulate fleet modernization and market penetration.
Although the Flight Path partnership’s sustainability details are not explicitly stated, related European aerospace initiatives, such as Clean Aviation and Clean Sky 2 programs, illustrate a broad industry focus on reducing CO2 and NOx emissions by up to 30%, advancing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen propulsion, noise reduction, and disruptive aircraft technologies. Given Airbus Helicopters’ leadership role and involvement in these programs, it is reasonable that sustainability is a core goal within their strategic partnerships including Flight Path.
In conclusion, the LCI and Airbus Helicopters' Flight Path partnership is a significant step towards meeting growing helicopter demand, fostering sustainable growth, and advancing the helicopter industry. Although specific technical and operational details remain limited, the partnership promises to deliver innovative solutions, improved infrastructure, and a commitment to sustainability.
The partnership between LCI and Airbus Helicopters, known as Flight Path, not only includes the purchase of new Airbus helicopters but also invests in further units, types, and technologies within the helicopter industry (business). The partnership is an essential move in addressing long-term capacity, sustainability, and financing requirements, aligning with LCI's goal of achieving net zero by 2050 (finance, industry, sustainability, business).
