Milestone Aviation, the Dublin-based helicopter leasing specialist, has sold three Airbus H225 helicopters to Austrian operator Kitz-Air GmbH, marking the start of a new relationship between the two companies.

The aircraft were delivered in July 2026 and will undergo modification before entering service as aerial firefighting helicopters across Europe and South America.

Milestone Aviation is an AerCap company headquartered in Dublin, supporting around 50 customers in approximately 35 countries across offshore energy, emergency medical services, policing, search and rescue, mining and firefighting.

Its parent, AerCap Holdings, is also headquartered in Dublin and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: AER). AerCap reported full-year 2025 revenue of 8.5 billion dollars (7.28 billion euros) and net income of 3.8 billion dollars (3.25 billion euros).

Kitz-Air GmbH is an Austrian aerial operator that will use the three helicopters to strengthen its firefighting capabilities as part of plans to expand its heavy-lift fleet.

The conversion programme will be carried out by Global Helicopter Services, described by Milestone as a long-standing customer and partner. Once operational, the aircraft will support firefighting missions in regions where wildfire seasons are becoming longer and increasingly severe.

Milestone chief commercial officer Sebastien Moulin said the H225 remains one of the most capable platforms available for demanding utility missions, pointing to rising global demand for aerial firefighting services and welcoming Kitz-Air as a new customer with scope for a long-term relationship.

Kitz-Air chief executive Christoph Klein described the acquisition as a significant milestone in the operator's long-term strategy, citing the H225's payload, range and versatility as key advantages for its firefighting missions.

The Airbus H225 is the latest member of the Super Puma family and is widely used in offshore transport, search and rescue, utility work and government operations, with its payload and range also making it a common choice for firefighting operators worldwide.

For the sector, the deal extends Milestone's footprint in the aerial firefighting segment as European and South American operators continue to expand heavy-lift capacity.

Source: Flying in Ireland / AerCap Holdings