Luxaviation acquires Unijet to become Europe’s third largest operator
Luxaviation acquires Unijet in a deal advised by Saphir Capital Partners,
Luxaviation has continued its shopping spree by completing the purchase of French private jet operator Unijet, following its successful purchase of Belgium-based operator Abelag in 2013.
Based at Paris Le Bourget Airport, Unijet started operations in 1967 and has a fleet of 16 aircraft.
Although Unijet was acquired via Abelag, Unijet will stay as a separate operating company.
The acquisition of Unijet is seen as a key strategic development by Luxaviation as it opens up access to Paris Le Bourget Airport, one of the busiest private jet airports in Europe.
The combined Luxaviation fleet, which also includes the aircraft of Abelag and German-based operator FairJets, now totals 60 private jets, making the Luxaviation Group the third largest operator in Europe behind NetJets Europe and TAG Aviation.
“The European business aviation segment becomes increasingly regulated thus stimulating operators with important fleets. The acquisition deal of Unijet appears meaningful in a market segment which remains highly fragmented as 80 per cent of aviation companies operate less than 4 planes”, says Hervé Laitat, CEO of Abelag.
Luxaviation was advised on the deal by Saphir Capital Partners, a Luxembourgish M&A advisory company.