Milestone Signs Lease Agreements for Five New Airbus H160 Helicopters with Bristow Group
DUBLIN, November 17, 2025 – The Milestone Aviation Group Limited (“Milestone”), the global leader in helicopter leasing, today announced that it has signed lease agreements with Bristow Group Inc. (“Bristow”), (NYSE: VTOL), the global leader in innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions, for five new Airbus H160 helicopters. The helicopters, four of which are scheduled for delivery in November 2025, will support Bristow’s oil and gas operations in Nigeria. The fifth and final aircraft is expected to be delivered in September 2026.
"Milestone is proud to partner with Bristow on the lease of five new H160s – becoming the first lessor to bring this aircraft type into Bristow’s fleet,” said Pat Sheedy, the Chief Executive Officer of Milestone. “We continue to invest in new technology medium and super medium helicopters, ensuring our customers have access to the most in-demand, fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry and supporting mission-critical segments around the world. We thank Bristow and Airbus for their partnership and look forward to building on our successful relationship in the years to come.”
“Bringing these new Airbus H160 helicopters into our Africa operations further enhances our ability to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient services to our valued customers in the energy sector,” said Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO, Bristow Group. “The introduction of the H160 underscores Bristow’s commitment to maintaining the most capable and modern fleet as we continue to support our clients’ growing and diversified missions across the region.”
“We are extremely proud to welcome Bristow as a new H160 operator. Their trust in the H160 for their critical offshore missions in Africa is a major milestone for the programme,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “This agreement is also a testament to our strong and lasting partnership with Milestone, whose confidence in the H160 as a versatile and reliable asset is paving the way for its success in the global leasing market. We look forward to working closely with both Bristow and Milestone to ensure a smooth and successful entry into the energy market in Africa.”
About Milestone
Milestone Aviation Group, an AerCap company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports approximately 50 customers in approximately 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining, fire-fighting, and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com
About AerCap
AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is based in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Memphis, Miami, Singapore, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Amsterdam and other locations around the world.
About Bristow Group.
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. Our aviation services include personnel transportation, search and rescue (“SAR”), medevac, fixed wing transportation, unmanned systems and ad-hoc helicopter services. Our business is comprised of three operating segments: Offshore Energy Services, Government Services and Other Services. Our energy customers charter our helicopters primarily to transport personnel to, from and between onshore bases and offshore production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. Our government customers primarily outsource SAR activities whereby we operate specialized helicopters and provide highly trained personnel. Our other services include fixed wing transportation services through a regional airline in Australia and dry-leasing aircraft to third-party operators in support of other industries and geographic markets.
Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, Ireland, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the United Kingdom (“UK”) and the United States (“U.S.”) To learn more, visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.
About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus designs and manufactures modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in space systems, defence and security. In helicopters, Airbus provides efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.
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As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. These and other important factors and risks are discussed in AerCap’s annual report on Form 20-F and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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