Aerius Leasing Completes First AW139 Deal in Indonesia

Aerius Leasing completed its first purchase and leaseback transaction on June 9, 2026, acquiring a 15-seat Leonardo AW139 Helicopters from Weststar Aviation Services to support offshore energy operations in Indonesia.

The transaction, announced in a company press release, marks Aerius Leasing’s entry into the global aviation leasing market and highlights the sustained demand for medium twin-engine helicopters in the Asia-Pacific offshore sector.

Offshore energy support in Indonesia

The Leonardo AW139 will be operated by PT Weststar Aviation Indonesia to support ENI’s regional operations. The deal was financed with support from Investec Bank.

The helicopter placement coincides with a major expansion of ENI’s footprint in the region. On June 8, 2026, ENI and PETRONAS officially launched Searah, an independent joint venture combining their upstream assets in Indonesia and Malaysia. The new entity features an initial production base exceeding 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), driving the need for reliable offshore crew transportation.

Syed Azni, Executive Director of Weststar Aviation Services, noted the aircraft’s established role in the sector.

“We are pleased to partner with Aerius Leasing on this important transaction supporting ENI’s operations in Indonesia. The AW139 continues to demonstrate its value as one of the most capable and reliable platforms in the offshore sector,” Azni stated.

Aerius Leasing establishes market presence

For Aerius Leasing, the transaction serves as a proof of concept for its operational strategy. Managing Partners Sameer Rehman and Chris Lloyd described the deal as a critical milestone for the firm’s expansion into the global helicopter leasing market.

The executives emphasized that the successful execution of the cross-border transaction validates their business model and establishes the company as a credible participant in the sector.

“Beyond being our inaugural deal, it validates our business model, demonstrates our ability to execute complex cross-border transactions and establishes Aerius as a credible participant in the global aviation leasing market,” Rehman and Lloyd said in a joint statement.

AirPro News analysis

We view this inaugural transaction by Aerius Leasing as a clear indicator of the tightening supply in the offshore helicopter market. As major energy firms consolidate and expand their upstream assets through ventures like Searah, the demand for proven medium twin-engine platforms such as the Leonardo AW139 will likely outpace available inventory. Aerius Leasing’s entry via a purchase and leaseback structure demonstrates that new lessors can find immediate traction by partnering with established operators to fulfill specific, high-value energy Contracts.

Sources: Aerius Leasing