GE Capital to Buy Milestone Aviation Group for $1.775 Billion

GE Capital Aviation Services has agreed to buy Dublin-based helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation Group for $1.775 billion. Since GE Capital Aviation Services' currently owns no helicopters, the deal will broaden its portfolio beyond the competitive plane-leasing business. GE Capital said in the statement the addition of Milestone will deepen GE's domain expertise in aviation and oil and gas, two critical industries for General Electric. Milestone is the world's largest helicopter-leasing company by fleet with 168 helicopters worth $2.8 billion, along with a forward order and option book of $3 billion.