Expert View – Business Aviation and Helicopter Financing Sector  

WHAT ARE THE TRENDS YOU OBSERVE IN THE BUSINESS AVIATION AND HELICOPTER SECTOR?  

Helicopters, of course, but also corporate aircraft, play an integral role in emergency medical and ambulance services, search and rescue operations, fire prevention and firefighting, and various aerial work and critical area operations (natural disasters), providing care to people. 

BPCE Equipment Solutions is a long-term business partner in financing business aircraft and helicopters for world-leading manufacturers. Thanks to our extensive network and in-depth knowledge of structuring bespoke financing solutions, we provide structured financing to medium to large European corporations and helicopter operators. 

The following significant trends can be observed in the business aviation and helicopter sector: 

• (i)  In the helicopter sector (but also for utility fixed-wing aircraft) there is a strong European trend to partnership models between public/government related entities and private companies. Especially for medical, law-enforcement and surveillance operations.
• (ii) Implementing high-efficiency engines with reduced emissions, powered by sustainable fuel produced from recycled materials, and reducing noise.  
• (iii) Development of hybrid and electric-powered light aircraft and helicopters.  
• (iv) Improved maintenance to extend the lifetime of equipment and optimize investment needs. 

BPCE Equipment Solutions focuses on providing structured financing solutions for business aircraft for the real economy. We primarily support SMEs and helicopter operators with their financing needs. 

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE INDUSTRY? 

All aircraft and helicopter manufacturers are currently facing challenges to improve the efficiency of aircraft operation, lowering emissions and maintenance costs. Emissions from state-of-the-art turbine engines used for aircraft and helicopters have already been reduced by 22% over the last 12 years, and noise by 23%.  

There are comprehensive efforts ongoing to develop alternative electric or hybrid (hydrogen) engines. Furthermore, any flight within the EU must be offset by mandatory payments to fully compensate for CO₂ emissions.  

Ongoing maintenance costs have already been significantly reduced thanks to substantial developments in the use of durable parts, and vintage assets will be recycled.  

The corporate aviation market is shifting towards shared ownership models. Corporate aircraft usage (from light to large) is becoming more prevalent among today’s corporate owners and decision-makers. Helicopters save hundreds of lives every day, and corporate aircraft play a key role in facilitating essential business travel for entrepreneurs and decision-makers. 

WHAT CAN BPCE EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS BRING TO THIS SECTOR? 

People need to be able to move around for professional and personal reasons. All means of transport (land, water and air) are undergoing huge transformations to become more efficient and sustainable.  

IT technology and a significant change in our awareness and thinking have made us more sensitive to how we manage meetings and leisure time in our daily lives (e.g. less travel and more virtual communication), but personal communication and meetings are still imperative. 

Our aviation portfolio is strictly and meticulously managed and monitored on a global basis by aviation specialists in various key BPCE Equipment Solutions local entities. We are in progress to expand our aviation network to new BPCE Equipment Solutions countries (e.g. France, UK). 

We can provide customized financing solutions to meet the needs of our corporate customers.  

BPCE Equipment Solutions offers propositions in the financing of “green flying assets”. We are developing structured financing solutions for aircraft-sharing models, where a few corporates invest in one asset. 

Thanks to our comprehensive network and in-depth industry expertise, we are well placed to support these trends, providing value to manufacturers and their clients and enabling the Business Aviation and Helicopter Industry transition to sustainable, eco-friendly assets. 

We finance flying assets for the real economy!