Milestone Aviation Provides Seven Helicopters to Thai Aviation Services

DALLAS, March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Milestone Aviation Group Limited ("Milestone"), the global leader in helicopter leasing, announced today that it has leased two Sikorsky S-92 and five Sikorsky S-76D helicopters to be operated by Thai Aviation Services Co., Ltd. ("TAS"). Of the seven aircraft, six were newly delivered from Milestone's order book, and the seventh was sourced from Milestone's existing fleet. TAS will utilize the helicopters to provide crew transport and additional oil field support services to a major international oil company in the Gulf of Thailand.

"Milestone has had an important relationship with TAS since 2012, and we were very pleased to collaborate with TAS to secure the helicopters that best fit the needs of their customer in Thailand," said Brett Rankin, Milestone's Vice President Commercial, Central and Southern Asia Pacific. "Our product and technical teams spent extensive time reviewing TAS' mission requirements and developing innovative solutions. We believe that today's announcement is a perfect example of the unique value and long-term partnership that Milestone brings to all of our customers."

"We appreciate that Milestone was able to provide TAS with an aircraft and lease solution that meets our need for increased efficiency and new technology," said Craig Havas, Deputy Managing Director Operations of TAS. "Milestone is a strong and creative partner, and we look forward to expanding our existing relationship."

All helicopters are expected to be operational in Thailand by the end of March 2017.

About Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group, a GE Capital Aviation Services company, is the world's leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone has a fleet of helicopters worth over US $4.0 billion plus debt commitments of approximately $400 million. The company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of US $3 billion. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries 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)
GECAS is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing with 50 years of experience. The GECAS portfolio comprises a wide range of aircraft types including narrowbodies, widebodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters. GECAS offers 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 25 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 Thai Aviation Services Ltd.:
Founded in 1987, Thai Aviation Services Co., Ltd. is the premier helicopter operator in Southeast Asia. With the Head office located in Bangkok and two operational bases serving the Gulf of Thailand, one in Utapao international Airport and one at Nakhon Sri Thamarrat in southern Thailand.  TAS presently operates a fleet of 2 Sikorsky S-92 and 7 S-76C aircraft in offshore support roles for a variety of Customers in the Gulf of Thailand. TAS has a reputation for extremely high operational flight safety standards and operates the only Ab-Initio pilot training program of any of the Thai operators. TAS has produced over 80 Thai helicopter pilots through this program for the Thai helicopter industry over the last 10 years.

Media Contact for Milestone:

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

SOURCE Milestone Aviation Group