Air Partner PLC Acquisition of SafeSkys Limited (0332S)

TIDMAIR

RNS Number : 0332S

Air Partner PLC

28 September 2017

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) NO 596/2014

LONDON GATWICK

28 September 2017

AIR PARTNER PLC

Acquisition of SafeSkys Limited

Air Partner's Consulting & Training division acquires leading provider of

Environmental and Air Traffic Control services to UK & International airports

Air Partner plc ("Air Partner"), the global aviation services group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of SafeSkys Limited ("SafeSkys"), a leading Environmental and Air Traffic Control services provider to UK & International airports.

The acquisition has been funded from Air Partner's existing cash resources, aligns to Air Partner's long-term strategy and objectives, and is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full year of ownership. SafeSkys reported revenue of c. GBP1.8m for the year ended 31 July 2016.

SafeSkys was founded in 1993 by Richard Barber, and over the past 24 years of his ownership, has grown to be recognised as a leading provider of Environmental and Air Traffic Control services working across 16 civilian and military airports in the UK, employing over 80 trained staff working every day onsite at the customer airport.

Environmental

SafeSkys is a global leader in Wildlife Hazard Management & Bird Control Services with experience and expertise built up over 24 years serving the needs of civil and military customers. The environmental habitat is a real and constant risk to an airport environment, both ground and air, and all international airports must comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation ("ICAO") regulations making bird-strike reporting mandatory.

SafeSkys Consulting & Training activity delivers a range of services such as ICAO 13km Surveys and Wildlife Hazard Management Plans ("WHMP"), reports necessary for international airports to comply with regulations and advising on preventative measures to control future bird strikes and other wildlife risks. Consulting & Training projects are undertaken internationally.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Services

SafeSkys holds European Regulation (EC) 1035/2011 status as an Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). This is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority Safety & Airspace Regulation Group (UK CAA SARG).

As an accredited ANSP with equal experience of serving the needs of civil and military customers for over 24 years, SafeSkys is able to provide the complete turnkey package for Airport ATC Services, whether an individual ATC Officer, Flight Information Service Officers or ATC engineers to manage ATC communications and navigation aids. SafeSkys currently provides turnkey ATC Services at three UK airports.

As part of Air Partner's Consulting & Training division, SafeSkys ATC and Environmental activities will extend the group's capabilities, scale and international presence in Aviation Safety, and is highly complementary to our activities in aviation regulation, compliance and safety management and fatigue risk management. Once integrated SafeSkys will rebrand as Air Partner SafeSkys and will benefit from Air Partner's long term management approach, financial strength and transparency and global office infrastructure.

Taurus London acted as Lead Adviser to Air Partner plc.

Mark Briffa, Chief Executive of Air Partner, said: "SafeSkys has built a great reputation providing Environmental and Air Traffic Control services to UK and international airports. I am delighted to welcome Richard Barber and the SafeSkys staff and customers to the Air Partner group. SafeSkys specialist activities in sectors core to Aviation Safety, and the team's passion and customer focus, make SafeSkys a great acquisition for Air Partner, adding to our capabilities in managed services, consulting & training, and extending our activities with the Airport customers. We look forward to supporting SafeSkys UK and International growth in the years ahead with investment in organic initiatives and complementary acquisition."

Richard Barber, Founder and CEO of SafeSkys, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the great team at SafeSkys and for our customers, and it is a natural development for the company after 24 years of successful operation and growth at the forefront of the industry. I am delighted that we join a global aviation services group which shares our passion for delivering world class customer services and excellence in Aviation Safety. We are confident that Air Partner's long term strategy and approach, their global office infrastructure, financial strength and transparency will enable us to enhance our offering and develop the business even further."

ENDS

Enquiries:

 
 Air Partner                              01293 844 788 
 Mark Briffa, Chief Executive Officer 
  Neil Morris, Chief Financial Officer 
  Kate Patrick, Investor Relations 
 Temple Bar Advisory (PR Advisor 
  to Air Partner)                         020 7002 1080 
 Tom Allison                              07789 998 020 
 Alycia MacAskill                         07876 222 703 
 
 
 

About Air Partner:

Founded in 1961, Air Partner is a global aviation services group that provides worldwide solutions to industry, commerce, governments and private individuals. The Group has two divisions : Broking division, comprising air charter broking and remarketing; and the Consulting & Training division, comprising the aviation safety consultancies, Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research and SafeSkys, as well as Air Partner's Emergency Planning Division. For reporting purposes, the Group is structured into four divisions: Commercial Jets, Private Jets, Freight (Broking) and Consulting & Training (Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research, SafeSkys and Air Partner's Emergency Planning Division). The Commercial Jet division charters large airliners to move groups of any size. Air Partner Remarketing, which is within the Commercial Jet division, provides comprehensive remarketing programmes for all types of commercial and corporate aircraft to a wide range of international clients. Private Jets offers the Company's unique pre-paid JetCard scheme and on-demand charter. Freight charters aircraft of every size to fly almost any cargo anywhere, at any time. Baines Simmons is a world leader in aviation safety consulting specialising in aviation regulation, compliance and safety management. Clockwork Research is a leading fatigue risk management consultancy. SafeSkys is a leading Environmental and Air Traffic Control services provider to UK and International airports. Air Partner is headquartered alongside Gatwick airport in the UK. Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round and has 20 offices globally. Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIR) and is ISO 9001:2008 compliant for commercial airline and private jet solutions worldwide. www.airpartner.com

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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September 28, 2017 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)