Milestone Aviation Group Leases Sikorsky S-92 to Omni Táxi Aéreo to Support Petrobras' Brazilian Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

SAO PAULO, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Milestone Aviation Group Limited ("Milestone"), a GE Capital Aviation Services company and the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has leased a Sikorsky S-92 to Omni Táxi Aéreo S.A. ("OTA") to support Petrobras' offshore operations in Brazil.

Milestone has provided the S-92 to Omni on a flexible one-year lease to support their operations. Omni has a short-term requirement for incremental heavy aircraft to serve its customers while uncertainty remains around their Airbus H225s' return to service timeline. This is the 12^th aircraft that Milestone has leased to Omni.

"Omni was Milestone's first lessee, and we are excited to mark our sixth anniversary with the lease of another S-92 to support their work with Petrobras," said Milestone President Daniel Rosenthal. "Milestone prides itself on being a long-term partner with operators around the world, and we work hard to provide flexible solutions to assist our customers. The Brazilian offshore oil & gas community currently faces a tough business environment, and we are proud to stand behind Omni and work creatively to help them during these challenging times."

"Over the past six years Milestone has always been a strong and committed partner, no matter the business environment," said Rui Almeida, Chairman of OTA and Omni Helicopters International ("OHI"). "They have consistently helped us secure the assets we need through their diverse fleet and order book and we are happy to celebrate this occasion with the addition of another S-92 to serve Petrobras. Regardless of the market conditions, we are confident that we have the financial strength and capabilities to continue supporting our customers in Brazil and beyond."

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

About Omni Táxi Aéreo S.A. (OTA)
OTA was founded in September 2001 on the pillars of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment. OTA is currently the leading helicopter services provider serving the Brazilian oil & gas sector, offering offshore and onshore air transport solutions all over Brazil, including air emergency medical services and seismic support services.

About Omni Helicopters International S.A. (OHI)
OHI is a financial holding company engaged in fleet management and financial investments in helicopter operators servicing the global offshore energy sector, including OTA.  OHI supports its local partners by providing access to aircraft and financial resources, as well as management backing in their pursuit of best practices industry-wide.

Media Contact for Milestone:

Nathan Riggs
Kekst and Company
+1-212-521-4804
[email protected]

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SOURCE Milestone Aviation Group