Gallery: M&A Activity In the Commercial Aftermarket

At the start of the year, StandardAero

U.S.-based MRO specialist FEAM Aero grew its line station network in Europe in March by acquiring Danish company Northern Aerotech. The acquisitions of the six Northern Aerotech line stations will take the number of FEAM-operated locations in Europe to 12 line stations. Overall, it has 42 line stations worldwide.

Atitech has sought to buy the maintenance assets of defunct airline Alitalia. Once completed, the deal will see the Italian MRO provider take over Alitalia's former main base in Rome.

Complete Aircraft Group (CAG) completed its acquisition of UK-based MRO Aerocare Aviation Services, a specialist in interiors and paint services, this summer. The acquisition will bring synergies to both companies: CAG will break into the business aircraft segment following the takeover, while the union will see the potential expansion of Aerocare’s capabilities for larger commercial aircraft.

In July, Satair signed an agreement to acquire aviation logistics and aftermarket services company VAS Aero Services. After the acquisition, VAS Aero Services will operate as part of Satair's U.S. business, but will exist as a separate entity at its sites in Boca Raton, Florida; Kent, Washington and its European operation based in London.

Asset management specialist and aftermarket spare parts supplier Werner Aero went under new majority ownership in August after Sumitomo Corporation acquired a 51% stake in the U.S.-based business. Mahwah, New Jersey-headquartered Werner specializes in aircraft end-of-life solutions. These include part-out of retired aircraft, which it breaks down to sell used serviceable parts to MRO providers. In addition to its U.S. home base, the company also operates an Asia-Pacific headquarters out of Singapore.

Irish aviation services group ASL Aviation Holdings has assumed full ownership of X-air Services after acquiring the 50% stake held by partner Sabena Technics in the Belgium-based MRO. X-air is a Part 145 repair specialist operating out of locations in Brussels and Liege, where it offers line, light and base maintenance services and technical support. ASL’s Belgian carrier, ASL Airlines Belgium, is the operation's largest maintenance customer. X-air Services also maintains aircraft operated by ASL Aviation Holdings’ other airlines in Ireland and France. Its facilities are used for light and heavy maintenance checks on Boeing 737-400 classic and 737-800BCF aircraft. X-air also provides some MRO services for ASL Belgium’s fleet of 747-400 freighter aircraft.