LCI has placed two Airbus H145D3 helicopters for operations in Papua New Guinea with Santos Limited and Pacific Helicopters. The Santos placement is LCI’s first-ever lease to an end-user, although both helicopters will be operated by Pacific Helicopters on behalf of Santos subsidiary Oil Search. 

Both helicopters were delivered recently and Pacific Helicopters is using them to support liquid natural gas and other energy facilities in Papua New Guinea that provide exports to Japan. “The helicopters will also support Santos Foundation activities in Papua New Guinea and its work to build resilient communities,” according to LCI.

Pacific Helicopters employs more than 160 people who provide helicopter services in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the U.S. In Papua New Guinea, the company serves energy, mining, construction, and telecommunications companies.

LCI’s joint venture with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing is providing the two H145D3s to Santos and Pacific Helicopters. “We welcome this new partnership with Santos and Pacific Helicopters and are excited to support their operations in Papua New Guinea,” said LCI chief commercial officer Nigel Leishman. “This transaction demonstrates that end users of helicopters can step into leases, thus benefitting from our availability and efficiencies directly.”