Rigby Group acquires Capital Air Charter
Capotal Air Charter Beechcraft King Air B200
Rigby Group’s aviation division has completed the acquisition of Exeter based Capital Air Charter.
Capital Air Charter Beechcraft King Air B200
Rigby Group’s aviation division has completed the acquisition of Capital Air Charter in Exeter, UK.
The acquisition now brings both Capital Air Charter and Capital Air Ambulance services into the Rigby Group.
Malcolm Humphries, managing director and chief pilot of Capital Air Charter, said: “This is a hugely significant announcement for both companies, one that will allow us to develop and realise its potential for in a way that simply wasn’t possible in the past. Being part of the Rigby Group will enable us to capitalise on opportunities that we were simply unable to grasp in the past.”
Rigby Group, which already owns British International Helicopters and Norwich International, plans to grow Capital Air Charter’s market share and develop both its aero medical services and its contracted charter capabilities.
Sir Peter Rigby, group chairman and chief executive of the Rigby Group, said: “Regional aviation is vitally important to the economic development of regions, not just in the UK but across the world. I am delighted to welcome everyone at Capital Air Charter to our fast growing team. Over the last two decades they have worked hard to establish the company as the South West’s largest air ambulance and private air charter operator with an enviable reputation, and I am very much looking forward to working together as we continue to expand operations and build on that success.”
Capital Air Charter was launched 23 years ago with a single aircraft. The acquisition of Capital Air Charter is the sixth take-over that the company has completed in 2014.
Capital Air Ambulance operates the air ambulance service in Guernsey and also provides emergency back-up to the medical services in Jersey and the Isle of Man.
The company currently operates eight aircraft: five Piper Chieftains and three Beechcraft King Air turboprop aircraft.
Lisa Humphries, finance director of Capital Air Charter, said: “While this is undoubtedly a pivotal moment in the business’ history, for our existing customers it will feel very much like business as usual. We will continue to deliver the high standards and approach to service that has made us the region’s number one charter operator, and will carry that ethos forward as our membership of the Rigby Group enables expansion across the operation.”
