LIMERICK, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Waypoint Leasing (Ireland) Limited (“Waypoint”), the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, today announced that it has closed a lease agreement with Calquin Helicopters S.A. (“Calquin”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo FAASA (“FAASA”), for one Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter, which will transition from firefighting operations in Europe to high altitude utility missions in the Andes Mountains. This transaction represents Waypoint’s 17th aircraft re-lease event and underscores the company’s commitment to expanding into the utility market.
Ed Washecka, Chief Executive Officer of Waypoint, said, “I am pleased to once again be working with the Tamarit-Almagro family and the excellent team at FAASA on this important transaction, and I am confident that it marks the beginning of a dynamic partnership between our organizations. This transaction – and the support and commitments we are receiving from customers – is illustrative of our ability to remarket underutilized heavy aircraft as demand continues to increase.”
Miguel Tamarit Campuzano, Chairman of FAASA, said, “We have known members of the Waypoint team for almost a decade and look forward to collaborating on a range of utility missions across Europe and benefitting from Waypoint’s expertise, flexible order book and unique financial solutions.”
Since its inception in 2013, Waypoint has been active in supporting utility, firefighting and other industrial-focused helicopter operators. Waypoint’s portfolio includes more than 135 aircraft for 18 customers in 28 countries with total assets in excess of $1.6 billion. Additionally, Waypoint has firm and option orders with aircraft manufacturers for more than 125 helicopters valued at more than $1.7 billion, to be delivered over the next five years.
About Waypoint
Waypoint is a global helicopter leasing company that provides operating lease and financing solutions to helicopter operators worldwide. Headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, Waypoint differentiates itself with a senior management team that has direct helicopter operating and leasing experience in key helicopter markets around the world, having leased helicopters across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. Waypoint serves a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting and governmental support. In addition to Ireland, Waypoint has offices in London, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. Further information is available at www.waypointleasing.com.
About Calquin and FAASA
FAASA, headquartered in Palma del Rio, Córdoba Spain, was founded in 1966 and operates more than 75 aircraft in Spain, Chile, and Italy. Additionally, FAASA provides training services for pilots, mechanics and forest fire-fighters.
In 2015 FAASA diversified its footprint with the incorporation of Calquin in Chile. Calquin operates fixed and rotary wing aircraft in Latin America primarily in support of general utility, fire-fighting, pipeline monitoring, emergency medical, and oil & gas services.