Deal would make the largest fixed base operator in the world.

Signature Flight Support parent company BBA Aviation has agreed to purchase Landmark Aviation from affiliates of the Carlyle Group for $2.065 billion. Included in the deal are Landmark’s 68 FBOs in North America and Europe, and its MRO business, as well as its fleet of 64 charter aircraft and more than 50 other managed aircraft, which would give BBA its first involvement in the charter/management segment.  The Landmark charter fleet is the fourth largest worldwide.

The transaction, subject to approval by regulators and company shareholders, is expected to close early next year.

photo courtesy AIN

“The acquisition would enable customers to benefit from an extension of Signature’s industry-leading service offering and its operational excellence across a much larger network of high-quality locations,” said BBA CEO Simon Pryce. “Combining Signature and Landmark Aviation also would realize significant cost synergies as well as substantial tax benefits.”

Signature operates 133 FBOs in its worldwide network, and there is currently redundancy at 12 airports in the U.S. and Europe, including Washington Dulles International, Teterboro, Westchester County, Le Bourget and London Luton where the two chains compete, which could lead to some required divestiture.

The entire Landmark Aviation charter fleet is available only in FlightList PRO.

credit AIN Online