Antin Infrastructure Partners Acquires HP Helicopters

Antin Infrastructure Partners has acquired a majority stake in High Performance Helicopters Corp (HP Helicopters), a US-based helicopter company specializing in critical utility infrastructure and aerial firefighting services. This acquisition is linked to Antin's €1.2 billion NextGen Fund I. Founded in 2005, HP Helicopters operates across 10 Western US states and serves a variety of clients, including state and federal agencies, utilities, and defense companies. The company's helicopter fleet is vital in the utility and wildfire response sectors for accessing challenging areas and carrying heavy payloads.

The growing demand for emergency wildfire response and infrastructure modernization aligns with Antin’s NextGen investment strategy. This marks the fund's eighth investment, with Antin securing a significant majority stake while HP Helicopters’ CEO Brad Bauder retains a minority share. The company also appointed Santiago Crespo as CFO, who brings extensive industry experience. Antin’s Managing Partner Angelika Schöchlin highlighted plans to expand HP’s fleet and increase efficiencies. Bauder expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, emphasizing its role in accelerating HP’s growth trajectory.