Milestone Aviation Group
Corporate brand
UnclaimedMilestone Aviation Group is an aircraft leasing company specializing in helicopters and other aviation assets.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
Milestone Aviation Group is an aviation asset-leasing company focused primarily on helicopters. The business was established in August 2010 by Richard Santulli, the aviation entrepreneur associated with the development of NetJets, with initial backing of $500 million from private-equity firms Jordan Company and Nautic Partners LLC. Its business model centers on acquiring aircraft and leasing them to commercial operators, energy companies, public-service providers, and other institutional customers that require aviation capacity without owning an entire fleet outright. The company developed during a period when helicopter operators, particularly those serving offshore oil and gas, emergency services, search and rescue, utility work, and passenger transport, increasingly used leasing as a way to manage capital expenditure and fleet flexibility. Milestone built a portfolio directed toward the specialized requirements of these operators, with helicopters forming the core of its identity and commercial activity. Its customers have included CHC Helicopter, Bristow Helicopters, Saudi Aramco, and Babcock International, illustrating the company's exposure to offshore energy, industrial operations, and contracted public-service aviation. A major expansion point came in August 2012, when Milestone announced an order for 22 aircraft valued at $682 million. The order was described as one of the largest helicopter orders of its kind and was primarily intended to support demand from the petroleum industry. This transaction reinforced Milestone's role as a fleet-financing partner for energy-related helicopter operations and demonstrated the scale at which the company could place aircraft with operators. In June 2015, GE Capital Aviation Services acquired Milestone for $1.775 billion, in addition to the assumption or repayment of Milestone's existing debt. The transaction brought the specialist helicopter-leasing platform into one of the world's major aircraft-financing businesses while preserving Milestone as a distinct aviation-leasing operation. In November 2021, GE Capital Aviation Services was acquired by AerCap. Following that transaction, Milestone became part of AerCap's broader aircraft-leasing platform. As of December 31, 2021, Milestone owned 355 helicopters. The portfolio was leased to a range of customers, including major helicopter operators and corporate or industrial users. The company has maintained an international presence, with offices in Dublin and Dubai in addition to its United States base. Its geographic reach reflects the cross-border nature of helicopter leasing, especially in energy, infrastructure, and specialist transport markets. Milestone's positioning is that of a specialist lessor rather than a helicopter manufacturer, operator, or consumer-facing aviation brand. Its value proposition is based on aircraft ownership, structured leasing, fleet access, and sector expertise. The company supports operators by providing access to helicopters and related aviation assets while allowing them to avoid the full upfront cost and balance-sheet commitment associated with direct acquisition. Its current corporate context is defined by its ownership within AerCap, although the available reference material does not provide a separate current management roster, standalone financial statements, or a current fleet count beyond the 2021 figure.
History
Milestone Aviation Group was founded in August 2010 by Richard Santulli, an aviation entrepreneur known for his role in expanding NetJets. The company began with $500 million in backing from Jordan Company and Nautic Partners LLC. Its purpose was to build an aircraft-leasing platform centered on helicopters and to provide operators with access to aircraft through leasing rather than direct ownership. The company's early development was closely connected to the specialized requirements of helicopter operators. Helicopters are used in offshore energy, emergency response, search and rescue, industrial transport, utility work, and passenger services, but their acquisition and maintenance can require substantial capital. A specialist lessor can therefore support operators by owning aircraft and making them available under lease arrangements. Milestone's customer base included CHC Helicopter, Bristow Helicopters, Saudi Aramco, and Babcock International. In August 2012, Milestone placed an order for 22 aircraft with a reported value of $682 million. The order was primarily directed toward petroleum-industry requirements and represented a significant expansion of the company's fleet-building strategy. It also demonstrated the importance of offshore and energy-related helicopter operations to Milestone's business at that stage. GE Capital Aviation Services acquired Milestone in June 2015 for $1.775 billion, together with the assumption or payoff of Milestone's existing debt. The acquisition integrated Milestone's specialist helicopter platform into GE Capital Aviation Services, a much larger aircraft-financing organization. Milestone continued to operate as a distinct aviation-leasing business within that corporate environment. In November 2021, AerCap acquired GE Capital Aviation Services. The transaction changed Milestone's ultimate corporate ownership and made it part of AerCap's global aircraft-leasing group. By December 31, 2021, Milestone owned 355 helicopters. These aircraft were leased to a broad group of commercial and industrial users, including helicopter operators and energy-sector customers. The company also maintained international offices in Dublin and Dubai, supporting its cross-border leasing activity. The available reference material does not identify a current standalone chief executive, a separate public listing, or a current standalone website. It also does not provide fleet figures after December 31, 2021. Milestone is best understood as a specialist aviation-leasing platform within AerCap rather than as an aircraft manufacturer or helicopter operator.
- 2021
Became part of AerCap
[1]AerCap acquired GE Capital Aviation Services, making Milestone part of AerCap's aircraft-leasing group.
- 2021
Reported fleet of 355 helicopters
[1]Milestone was reported to own 355 helicopters as of December 31, 2021.
- 2015
Acquired by GE Capital Aviation Services
[1]GE Capital Aviation Services acquired Milestone for $1.775 billion, plus the assumption or payoff of existing debt.
- 2012
Large helicopter order announced
[1]Milestone placed an order for 22 aircraft valued at $682 million, primarily to support petroleum-industry demand.
- 2010
Company founded
[1]Richard Santulli founded Milestone Aviation Group with $500 million in investment from Jordan Company and Nautic Partners LLC.
Products and positioning
A specialist aviation lessor focused on helicopters and mission-critical aircraft, serving operators and institutional customers that need fleet access without purchasing aircraft outright.
Aircraft leasing · 2010
Helicopter operating leases
Milestone's central offering is the leasing of helicopters to commercial operators and institutional customers. The aircraft can support offshore energy, industrial transport, emergency services, public-service missions, and passenger operations. Leasing allows customers to obtain fleet capacity without purchasing every aircraft directly, while Milestone retains ownership of the aviation assets.
Specialized aviation leasing · 2012
Energy-sector aviation fleet solutions
Milestone has developed aircraft-leasing activity around the needs of petroleum and offshore-energy companies. Its 2012 order for 22 aircraft was primarily intended to serve petroleum-industry demand. The offering supports helicopter operators and industrial users that require reliable aircraft for offshore logistics and related missions.
Aviation asset finance · 2010
Specialized aircraft portfolio leasing
Beyond individual lease transactions, Milestone operates as a portfolio owner and aviation-financing platform. It acquires aircraft and places them with operators in different sectors and markets. This model is designed for customers seeking flexible access to specialized aircraft and for a parent lessor seeking exposure to the helicopter segment.
Brand decisions
2021
Integration into AerCap following GE Capital Aviation Services acquisitionM&ABackground
GE Capital Aviation Services was acquired by AerCap as part of a major aircraft-leasing transaction.
Action taken
Milestone's ultimate ownership moved from GE Capital Aviation Services to AerCap.
Aftermath
Milestone became part of AerCap's global aviation-leasing group.
2015
Sale to GE Capital Aviation ServicesM&ABackground
Milestone had developed a specialist helicopter-leasing platform with an international customer base.
Action taken
GE Capital Aviation Services acquired Milestone for $1.775 billion, in addition to assuming or paying off existing debt.
Aftermath
Milestone became part of GE Capital Aviation Services while continuing as a distinct aviation-leasing business.
Acquisition consideration. $1.775 billion, plus assumption or payoff of existing debt (2015)
2012
Order 22 aircraft for petroleum-industry demandProduct launchBackground
Milestone was expanding its helicopter portfolio and targeting demand from petroleum and offshore-energy customers.
Action taken
The company placed an order for 22 aircraft valued at $682 million.
Aftermath
The order became one of the largest helicopter orders cited in connection with the company and strengthened its role as a fleet-financing partner for the petroleum sector.
Order value. $682 million (2012)
Recent events
- 2021
AerCap acquires GE Capital Aviation Services[1]
M&A
AerCap acquired GE Capital Aviation Services, bringing Milestone Aviation Group into AerCap's aircraft-leasing group.
- 2021
Milestone fleet reaches 355 helicopters at the end of 2021[1]
Other
The company was reported to own 355 helicopters as of December 31, 2021, leased to customers including CHC Helicopter, Bristow Helicopters, Saudi Aramco, and Babcock International.
- 2015
GE Capital Aviation Services acquires Milestone Aviation Group[1]
M&A
GE Capital Aviation Services acquired Milestone for $1.775 billion, with the transaction also involving the assumption or payoff of Milestone's existing debt.
- 2012
Milestone places $682 million order for 22 aircraft[1]
Product launch · Other
Milestone announced an order for 22 aircraft valued at $682 million, primarily intended to serve petroleum-industry demand.
- 2010
Milestone Aviation Group founded with $500 million in private-equity backing[1]
Other
Richard Santulli founded Milestone Aviation Group with an initial $500 million investment from Jordan Company and Nautic Partners LLC.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/milestone-aviation-group · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled