Ahead of Europe’s largest vertical lift exhibition, European Rotors, and following the success of Verticon in Dallas, we reflect on the achievements of these past two quarters. ITC-AeroLeasing, Inc. (“ITC”) closed a total of nine new aircraft lease transactions, continuing our partnership with one of the largest EMS operators in North America, and closing new contracts with three major helicopter and fixed-wing special mission operators in Europe.
Building upon a decade-long partnership in the U.S.
After lease-financing two Bell 407s with our long-term partner in the EMS sector in early 2025, ITC leased an additional three aircraft in medical configuration to the same operator in June. The aircraft, all Bell 407 series, operate from various hospitals around the U.S. at our partner’s bases.
The Bell 407 is a proven model for EMS operations, especially in the U.S., recognized in the industry for its reliability in rescue and emergency transportation. The Bell 407 has been in operation since 1996, and currently, over four hundred of them are flying around the world. With large doors for easy loading and unloading of patients, the interior can accommodate one patient and two medical personnel.
ITC is proud to keep this decade-long partnership thriving, with over fifty transactions already closed to date.
New lease contracts in Europe
In Europe, ITC expanded its relationship with three customers, entering lease transactions for six different aircraft. These long-term lease contracts include two Airbus H145 D3s and three Airbus EC135 T2+ helicopters, serving medical missions in Spain and France, as well as the lease of an Embraer E190 Regional Jet, which will be operated by a long-term customer focused on charter, medevac and ACMI flights.
The H145 is a large and popular model for EMS configuration. Its large cabin space and wide clamshell doors at the back of the aircraft allow for quick and easy loading and can accommodate up to two stretchered patients and three medical staff, as well as two pilots.
The latest H145 version, the D3, has been gaining particular traction with European air ambulance operators. Its five-bladed main rotor system and the latest Helionix avionics have increased its useful load, improved performance, and provided more stability and reduced vibration.
The H135 is also a leading light-twin HEMS model, praised for its agility in difficult terrains, and its size, providing ample space for medical teams to work on their patients. In France particularly, the H135 is one of the most popular HéliSMUR (air ambulance) models. In 2024, out of a total of 53 Service d’Aide Médicale Urgente (SAMU) helicopters, twenty-one aircraft were H135 variants.
The E190 is on lease with a French operator and will be used for passenger transportation, mainly for ACMI. Our working history dates back more than a decade, when ITC initially financed many of this operator’s fleet for European public service obligations (PSOs) on commercially unviable transport routes, as subsidized by the French government.
Embraer’s E-Jet series, of which the E190 is one of the larger models, is a range of General Electric CF34 turbofan powered regional aircraft. The E190 has a maximum single-class passenger capacity of 14 seats and a maximum range of 4,537 kilometers. The regional jet will strengthen our customer’s ability to support various routes in France and around Europe, improving connectivity across the territory.
Looking back on the results since Verticon, ITC’s Executive Vice-President, Steven Nixon, said :
“2025 has been a great year for ITC so far, with diverse projects. We have developed new customer relationships, but notably, we continue to grow our existing partnerships in the U.S. and Europe, some of which have lasted for over a decade, which in itself speaks volumes about the mutual trust and respect between ITC and its customers. We always endeavor to share our skills and experience with all parties involved in a transaction, to deliver our primary objective of funding essential missions in the most efficient and professional manner.”
About ITC
ITC-AeroLeasing is the leading independent Japanese aircraft leasing and sales company serving the international general and business aviation communities, active since 1989. With a fleet of 80 aircraft, ITC leases all over the world, with a strong commitment to operators dedicated to socially responsible missions.
