Waypoint Leasing acquired a pre-owned AW139 in EMS configuration on the open market and placed it on long-term lease to Ornge in support of EMS operations in Ontario, Canada. The aircraft is additional to Waypoint’s current AW139 fleet and order book, and will operate out of Ornge’s Moosonee, Ontario base in support of the company’s EMS operations in the province.

Ed Washecka, Waypoint’s CEO, said, “Ornge is a valuable customer to Waypoint, and we are excited to support an operator whose mission it is to provide critical care for patients and transport to healthcare facilities across Ontario. Expansion into the Canadian HEMS market further diversifies our customer base and expands our EMS business, which has been a strategic focus since our inception in 2013. Waypoint’s ability to provide liquidity, regardless of market cycle, is an increasingly valuable component of the global helicopter services market and Waypoint will continue to maintain our ability to support operators’ fleet growth by offering tailored lease solutions.”

Jarrod Burton, VP Sales & Relationship Management, North America, added, “Our ability to identify and acquire a uniquely well configured pre-owned helicopter so close to Ornge’s mission requirements along with detailed input from our highly experienced technical team allowed us to respond to the customer’s request with added value in what was a very competitive tender process.”

Dr. Andrew McCallum, president and CEO of Ornge, said, “After undergoing a fully transparent public procurement process, Waypoint was selected as our leasing partner. This additional AW139, operating in Moosonee, will have considerable capacity to serve the people of the James Bay region, resulting in tangible benefits for our patients and their families.”

Ornge is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization that provides air ambulance and related services for the province of Ontario.

Since its inception in 2013, Waypoint has been active in supporting EMS, utility, firefighting and other industrial-focused helicopter operators. Waypoint’s portfolio includes more than 135 aircraft for 18 customers in 28 countries with total assets in excess of $1.6 billion. Additionally, Waypoint has firm and option orders with aircraft manufacturers for more than 125 helicopters valued at more than $1.7 billion, to be delivered over the next five years.