Today at Heli-Expo, Chairman of Milestone Aviation Group Richard Santulli signed a contract for 16 EC225s alongside Eurocopter Group’s President & CEO Lutz Bertling. These aircraft are valued at €362 million (US $480 million) and will be delivered over five years, starting in 2013.
Eurocopter’s embrace of a partnership with Milestone on the EC225 is a major development for the helicopter industry. Based in Ireland, Milestone has provided over US $500 million in finance to operators around the world including Bristow, CHC and Inaer since its beginnings in August 2010.
At the occasion, Mr. Santulli said, “This historic order enables Milestone to provide our customers with the best aircraft and product options available. The EC225 has a great pedigree and a reputation for providing leadership in safety and high reliability in demanding operating conditions.” He continued, “I leased all of the original Super Pumas, the EC225’s predecessor, delivered in North America in the 1980’s with my old company RTS Helicopters, so this deal signals the resumption of a very important partnership.”
