Waypoint agrees helicopter lease deals with Avincis and Bristow

Limerick-based helicopter financier, Waypoint Leasing, has agreed deals to supply four craft to two clients.

Waypoint, whose helicopter fleet is valued at more than $500 million, has agreed to lease two Agusta Westland AW139s to Babcock International subsidiary, Avincis.

The craft will be used for medical emergency services, fire fighting and supporting the oil and gas services and will be based with Avincis’s Italian subsidiary, INAER Aviation.

It has agreed a similar deal to supply two Sikorsky S-92s to Bristow Group, which specialises in providing back-up services to the energy and oil and gas industries.

Both craft will operate out of Scatsta Airport on the Shetland Islands in Scotland.

Waypoint chief executive, Ed Washecka, pointed out that the contract is its first transaction with Bristow. "We are pleased to be working with a renowned operator in Bristow and are confident it marks the beginning of a long and productive partnership," he said.

Waypoint has offices in Limerick and Connecticut in the US. Its backers include members of the Soros family.