Contributes to Growth of Emergency Medical Services Capabilities in China
Milestone Aviation Group Contributes to Growth of Emergency Medical Services Capabilities in China With Lease of Two Airbus H130 Helicopters to MIT Group's HEMS999
DUBLIN, Oct. 26, 2016 -- Milestone Aviation Group Limited ("Milestone"), a GE Capital Aviation Services company and the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has leased two new Airbus H130 helicopters to HEMS999 Company Ltd. ("HEMS999"), a Chinese air ambulance operator subsidiary of MIT Group, to support emergency medical service operations in China's Shandong Province.
"There is currently a substantial unmet need for helicopter emergency medical services in China, and this partnership with HEMS999 represents an exciting opportunity for Milestone to enter a new region with significant opportunities for growth and development," said Milestone President Daniel Rosenthal. "Milestone is committed to forging long-term relationships with our customers and partners all around the world, and we take great pride in supporting life-saving operations in China. We are pleased that we could work with Airbus to provide HEMS999 with these aircraft."
"Shandong is experiencing a sharp rise in motor vehicles, as well as an expansion in highway infrastructure, and air ambulance services are needed now more than ever before in what is China's second most populous province," said Gai Fang, President of the MIT Group. "Milestone and Airbus Helicopters have been great partners as we work to establish HEMS999 as the country's first provincial HEMS network covering traffic accidents, and we greatly value Milestone's ability to support our expansion needs by providing an optimal lease solution."
The two H130 aircraft should begin conducting missions within the next few months. Milestone reached this lease agreement with MIT Group in collaboration with Airbus Helicopters. Airbus Helicopters previously announced a purchase agreement with MIT Group to provide HEMS999 with seven H130 helicopters for use in emergency medical services and rescues for road and highway accidents across Shandong.
About Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world's leading helicopter leasing company. Milestone has a fleet of over 215 helicopters worth US $3.7 billion and supports 32 operators in 26 countries on six continents. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price of US $3.2 billion. These near-term delivery positions of in-demand helicopters are made available for lease globally. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide and supports them through lease and debt financing. The company provides financing for helicopters serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. www.milestoneaviation.com
About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing. With over 45 years of experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrowbodies, widebodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting. GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (~1,700 fixed wing/ ~250 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves ~270 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 26 offices. www.gecas.com
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
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