Spanish helicopter operator Eliance seeks preliminary creditor protection

Spanish helicopter operator Eliance has filed for preliminary creditor protection, one step short of judicial supervision. The company cited short-term liquidity problems.

In the 2025 fiscal year, Eliance's net loss doubled from €12 million to €24 million. Revenue came to about €54 million. The firm operates helicopters for governments, providing emergency services, firefighting and road monitoring, and has expanded internationally since 2022 with acquisitions in Italy and Croatia.

Among its customers is Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic, which awarded Eliance a €51 million tender in September 2025 to run its helicopter fleet. Spanish media reports say financial difficulties have grounded several of those helicopters, leaving parts of the road network without aerial coverage.

Earlier, in February 2026, the Catalan government rescinded a separate contract with Eliance over alleged breaches. Eliance had operated two of Catalonia's four medical emergency helicopters and was accused of missing fleet availability requirements and failing to supply replacements when aircraft were grounded. In March 2025, Galicia also ended a contract for emergency services and fined the firm €145,000 for similar reasons. The company has seen changes in its own operations over the past two years.