Helicopter Charter Operator Finance

Helicopter charter operators can access hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease products from specialist aviation lenders. The most common structure for AOC-holding charter operators is a finance lease - which keeps the aircraft off the operator's balance sheet (under older accounting standards) and provides flexibility at the end of the term. Hire purchase is also widely used, particularly where the operator wants to own the aircraft outright at the end of the finance period.

You do not strictly need an AOC to obtain finance for a helicopter, but operating a helicopter commercially for passenger transport under a Public Transport Licence (PTL) or as an air taxi requires a CAA Part-133 AOC. Lenders financing helicopters for commercial charter use will expect the operator to hold the appropriate permissions before the aircraft enters service. Some lenders are willing to finance the purchase in advance of the AOC being granted if the application is well advanced.

Commercial charter operators typically need to provide a deposit of 15–25% for helicopter finance. Established operators with multiple years of profitable charter trading, a full AOC and strong maintenance records are best placed to achieve 80–85% LTV. Newer operators or those with thinner financial track records may be asked for 25–30% deposit by most lenders.

Lloyds Aviation Finance, Close Brothers Aviation and Investec are among the most active lenders for AOC-holding charter operators in the UK. These lenders understand the commercial aviation environment, the importance of insurance requirements for passenger-carrying operations, and the residual value dynamics of helicopters operated intensively in charter roles. HSBC and Barclays also participate in the charter segment for larger or stronger operators.

Yes. It is possible to purchase a helicopter using finance and then lease it to an AOC-holding charter operator under a dry or wet lease arrangement. In this structure, you are the aircraft owner and lender-mortgagor; the charter operator is the lessee. Lenders will assess the credit quality of the lessee and the lease terms as part of their underwriting. This structure is sometimes used by investors or high-net-worth individuals to generate income from helicopter assets without holding an AOC themselves.