Milestone Aviation Expands Omni Helicopters Fleet
Milestone Aviation Group has completed a multi-aircraft purchase, leaseback and lease transaction with Omni Helicopters International in Brazil.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Emergency Response
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Milestone Aviation Group completed a transaction with Omni Helicopters International covering three new Leonardo AW189 helicopters, a five-year lease extension on one AW139, and two Sikorsky S-92 search-and-rescue helicopters. The deal builds on a long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Why it matters
The aircraft are intended to support the growth and consolidation of search-and-rescue services across South America. The AW189 helicopters are also expected to support continued growth in offshore oil-and-gas operations in Brazil.
The announcement lists three AW189 purchase-and-leaseback aircraft, one AW139 five-year lease extension and two S-92 search-and-rescue lease helicopters. Financial terms and the final delivery schedule beyond the stated quarters were not disclosed.
The players
Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group is an aviation leasing company that provides aircraft financing and leasing arrangements to helicopter operators.
Omni Helicopters International
Omni Helicopters International is a Brazilian helicopter operator that provides offshore oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue services.
The details
The three factory-fitted AW189 helicopters are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, while the two S-92 helicopters are configured for full all-weather search-and-rescue missions. The AW139 currently operated by Omni supports offshore oil-and-gas activity and will remain under a five-year extension.
Timeline
Q4 2026: First factory-fitted AW189 helicopters scheduled for delivery.
Q1 2027: Remaining AW189 delivery and two S-92 helicopters expected.
Five-year term: AW139 lease extension period.
Seasonal Patterns
The transaction adds fleet capacity for offshore oil-and-gas support in Brazil, extending the existing helicopter base that serves that sector. It also adds search-and-rescue capability across South America, an area where regional service growth is cited as a driver.
Search-and-rescue helicopter capacity is being added in South America, which may improve response options for offshore and coastal emergencies. The new AW189 and S-92 aircraft are scheduled to enter service across Q4 2026 and Q1 2027.
The takeaway
Fleet additions for search-and-rescue and offshore support can shape how quickly emergency aircraft are available in remote areas. Tracking the Q4 2026 and Q1 2027 delivery dates will show whether the expansion arrives on schedule.
Further reading
For more on how search-and-rescue aircraft are deployed, see Emergency Response.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vertical Mag.
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