Your essential weekly digest of International Business and Private Aviation Industry news

Broomfield, Colorado:

Gogo to acquire Satcom Direct

Gogo Inc. and Satcom Direct have entered into a definitive agreement under which Gogo will acquire Satcom Direct to create the only in-flight connectivity provider able to satisfy the performance and cost needs of every segment of the global business aviation (BA) and military/government mobility markets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Satcom Direct will receive $375m in cash and five million shares of Gogo stock at closing, and up to an additional $225m in payments tied to realizing certain performance thresholds over the next four years.

Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo Chairman & CEO (left) with Chris Moore, Satcom Direct President.

Satcom Direct has an extensive international sales and service footprint and is the leading global BA geostationary (GEO) satellite in-flight connectivity service provider. In 2024, Satcom Direct is expected to generate approximately $485 million in revenue with EBITDA margins of approximately 17% on a pro forma adjusted basis.

Satcom Direct generates approximately 80% of its revenue from the BA market, and approximately 20% from the military/government mobility market.

“This transaction accelerates our growth strategies of expanding our total addressable market to include the 14,000 business aircraft outside North America, and delivering solutions that meet the needs of every segment of the BA market,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo Chairman and CEO.

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Washington, DC:

NBAA activates HERO database to assist in Southeast Hurricane Helene relief

The National Business Aviation Association has announced the activation of its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to facilitate the business aviation industry’s mobilization in support of relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has caused widespread damage to communities across the Southeastern US.

The HERO database allows people to enter information about the availability of airplanes, personnel and other assets for relief missions.

Information from the database is provided to government agencies and non-government organizations upon request. The database has previously been activated to support relief missions in the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

“Business aircraft have long played an essential role in providing relief for people and communities in need in times of crisis,” noted Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president, safety, security, sustainability and international operations.

“They are often able to turn roadways into runways, or hillsides into heliports, in order to reach isolated locations. NBAA’s HERO database offers one-stop access to those in business aviation who want to lend a helping hand with their aircraft and other assets.”

register aircraft and other assets

Lincoln, Nebraska:

Duncan Aviation announces new $25m paint facility in Lincoln

Duncan Aviation will begin construction of a new $25m paint facility at its Lincoln, Nebraska, MRO this December.

The greenfield hangar build will include a new 32,500-square-foot, dual-bay paint hangar with an adjacent 9,000-square-foot storage and support area.

The building will connect directly to Duncan Aviation’s existing paint facility, which was built in 2012, and will include expansion of the ramp area on the building’s west side.

The cross-draft bays will feature modern climate control and the new facility will expand and upgrade waste water treatment for the entire paint complex, add air showers to contain even more contaminants, and provide a small application booth for send-in parts like flaps and thrust-reversers.

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Cypress, Texas:

Chantilly Air joins the Paragon Aviation Group network

Paragon Aviation Group has welcomed Chantilly Air to its network of independent FBOs.

With over 34 years of experience in the aviation industry, Chantilly Air has evolved from a single-jet corporate flight department into a premier provider of comprehensive aviation services. Operating out of state-of-the-art facilities at the Manassas Regional Airport, Chantilly Air is renowned for its commitment to safety, personalized customer service, and high-quality maintenance solutions.

Founded in 1990, Chantilly Air has built a solid reputation in the Washington, D.C. metro area, offering aircraft management, charter, maintenance, and FBO services.

Their exemplary safety record includes IS-BAO and ISBAH certifications, Wyvern Approval, and FAA Diamond Award Repair Station status, reflecting their unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards and safety practices.

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Houston, Texas:

World Fuel and DHL Express to bring SAF to Miami International Airport

World Fuel Services and DHL Express, the world’s leading international express delivery provider, have entered into a new commercial agreement for the delivery of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Miami International Airport (MIA).

Under the terms of the agreement, World Fuel will deliver over a two-year period approximately 60 million gallons of blended SAF, of which 18 million gallons will be neat SAF (equaling approximately 227 million liters of blended SAF containing 68 million liters of neat SAF) and will be provided by Valero Marketing and Supply Company (Valero), a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO).

This agreement marks one of the first regular deliveries of blended SAF into the State of Florida.

The neat SAF purchased under the agreement will be produced from used cooking oil and food waste, certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and have upon average at least 80% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions when compared to conventional jet fuel, which will be used to offer DHL Express customers emission-reduced air transportation services via DHL GoGreenPlus.

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Washington, DC:

NBAA joins call to preserve flight training benefits for veterans

NBAA has joined with 12 other aviation groups to express their strong opposition to a congressional bill that includes provisions that would disproportionately harm veterans seeking careers in aviation.

House Resolution (H.R.) 7323, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024, would impose a lifetime cap of $115,749 on flight training benefits starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. While that amount is larger than a $108,480 cap initially proposed, it still represents a “substantial limitation” to funds accessible to veterans for flight training.

“Aviation is a vital industry, supporting over 7% of the US GDP and providing more than 11.5 million jobs,” noted the September 17th letter sent to House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) and Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8). “The aviation sector is in dire need of qualified pilots, and veterans are among the best candidates to fill this demand.

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Voluxis

Warren Gravell

Voluxis, the charter operator and aircraft management company, has appointed the highly experienced Warren Gravell as its new Chief Executive Officer.

George Rolls, Chairman at Voluxis, said of the appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Warren on board. His appointment comes at a time when we are looking at the next step in our expansion plans, in which he will play a pivotal role. Although we currently manage a quality fleet of private jets, including Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft, across bases in the UK, Africa, Middle East and Asia, we have plans to grow further, and believe Warren is the perfect choice as CEO to drive the company forwards.

“He brings with him decades of experience in the industry, having worked for a number of large operators over the years. He has held several Directorial-level roles and has vast experience in operations and as an accountable manager.”

Gravell commented: “I can’t wait to get started with the hugely experienced team here in Farnborough and work with our colleagues across the world in delivering a first-class service to our clients.”

Gravell started his role on 1st October and joins the latest senior appointments earlier this year of Sean Pettit as CFO and Rez Selman as Head of Charter Sales.