Milestone Aviation closes first deal
Brazil's Omni Taxi Aéreo has sold two Sikorsky 76C++s to Milestone Aviation Group and will lease them back.
Milestone Aviation Group, the specialist helicopter and business jet leasing company, has closed its first deal buying two Sikorsky 76C++ from Brazilian operator Omni Taxi Aéreo. Omni Taxi Aero will use the aircraft to service a Petrobras contract ferrying workers to offshore oil platforms.
The two aircraft have a combined manufacturer’s list price value of $23,000,000.
Milestone closed the deal in early September. The helicopters will be delivered later this month after being configured for offshore missions at Sikorsky’s Coatesville, Pennsylvania completion centre.
“We are proud to partner with Omni to help them grow and meet the needs of the Brazilian market,” said Richard Santulli, chairman of Milestone. “Omni is a great operator and we look forward to supporting them for years to come.”
Omni Taxi Aéreo is Brazil’s second largest oil and gas helicopter operator by fleet size with 33 aircraft today. It plans to add 7 helicopters in the next 15 months. The company operates AgustaWestland, Bell, Eurocopter and Sikorsky helicopters.
“It is important for us to have a financial partner that understands our business”, said Rui Almeida, president of Omni Taxi Aéreo. “Milestone is made up of former operators who can relate to our circumstances and who understand our needs. They have proven quick and decisive in providing 100% financing to support our growth plans allowing us to meet the needs of our customers.”
Milestone says it is in talks with helicopter operators and private jet owners in 18 countries on 6 continents and plans to announce its second transaction soon.
