Helicopter Finance

Leonardo AW139 Finance Guide

The Leonardo AW139 is the industry-standard medium helicopter for UK offshore crew transfer and SAR operations. At £4m–£16m it requires specialist finance - Doulton Bridging Finance arranges AW139 HP, finance lease, operating lease and sale-and-leaseback through our specialist aviation lender network.

Finance guide updated October 2026. Rates and figures are illustrative; subject to lender credit assessment.

Leonardo AW139 - Aircraft Overview

The Leonardo AW139 is a medium-large twin-turbine helicopter produced by Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) in Yeovil, UK and Philadelphia, USA. It is the world's best-selling medium helicopter in its class, with over 1,000 delivered globally. Its combination of high cruise speed, impressive range, twin-engine safety and large pressurised cabin have made it the preferred type for offshore oil and gas and SAR operations worldwide.

Key Specifications

Engines: Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C
Max cruise speed: 167 kts (309 km/h)
Range: approx. 1,250 km
Max takeoff weight: 6,800 kg
Payload: approx. 2,800 kg
Seats: 2 crew + up to 15 passengers

Typical UK Uses

North Sea offshore crew transfer
Search and rescue (SAR)
VVIP transport
Border Force / coastguard
Military utility (AW139M)

The AW139 is manufactured partly at Leonardo's Yeovil facility, giving it strong UK industrial heritage and an excellent UK support network. For offshore operators in the North Sea, the AW139 is effectively the industry standard - which translates into lender familiarity and a liquid secondary market that supports competitive finance terms.

AW139 Finance - What to Expect

AW139 finance is typically structured through specialist aviation finance lenders or international aircraft lessors rather than mainstream asset finance providers. Transactions at this scale require detailed underwriting, lender site visits, and independent appraisals.

Typical Purchase Price

New: £14m–£16m Pre-owned: £4m–£9m (varies widely)

Minimum Deposit

From 25% of purchase price (c.£3.5m–£4m on a new aircraft)

Finance Rates Available

From 5.9% p.a. (structured HP/lease) Finance lease from 6.0% p.a.

Typical Term

Up to 12 years (HP on new) Operating lease: 7–10 year terms typical

For offshore operators, long-term contracts with oil majors or government bodies can be used to underpin lender confidence and may support longer terms at lower rates. Sale-and-leaseback is also widely used in this sector to release equity from existing owned aircraft.

Worked Finance Example

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Leonardo AW139 cost to finance?

A new AW139 is priced at approximately £14m–£16m as of October 2026. Pre-owned examples range from around £4m to £9m depending on age, hours, configuration and avionics fit. With a 25% deposit on a £13.3m new aircraft, the finance amount is £10m. Our worked example shows approximately £97,000/month at 6.0% over 12 years.

What is the AW139 primarily used for in the UK?

The AW139 is the dominant type in UK offshore oil and gas crew transfer operations - it is the standard aircraft for North Sea oil platform support operated by companies such as Bristow and CHC. It is also widely used for search and rescue (SAR), where its range, speed and payload are critical, and for VVIP transport worldwide.

Can a private company finance an AW139?

Yes, though the high purchase price means this is typically the preserve of established helicopter operators, private equity-backed aviation businesses, or ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Strong corporate covenants, existing AW139 operational experience, and long-term service contracts all significantly support the lending case.

What lenders offer AW139 finance?

AW139 finance at this value requires specialist aviation finance lenders and international aircraft financiers - this is not a transaction for a standard asset finance house. Through Doulton Bridging Finance we access the specialist UK and international lenders who are comfortable with AW139 credit and asset risk.

Is sale-and-leaseback available on the AW139?

Yes. Sale-and-leaseback is a common structure for AW139 operators, particularly where an aircraft is already owned outright and the operator wishes to release equity while retaining use of the helicopter. We can structure and arrange AW139 sale-and-leaseback transactions through our specialist lender network.

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Finance taken for business purposes is not regulated by the FCA. Rates shown are indicative as at October 2026 and depend on credit profile, term, aircraft and deposit. We act as a credit broker, not a lender. Your aircraft may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.