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STAR Capital Partners Acquires Two Flight Training Businesses, Creating a Leading Global Independent Service Provider

12 February 2007

STAR Capital Partners (“STAR”), a leading European investment fund focused on investing in capital intensive businesses, announces today it has reached agreements to acquire:

  • A majority stake in General Electric Commercial Aviation Training ("GECAT") from GE's Commercial Aviation Services business ("GECAS"); and
  • The entire share capital of SAS Flight Academy ("Flight Academy") from SAS AB ("SAS").

The transaction is expected to complete in the next few weeks. Under terms of the agreement, GECAS will retain a significant equity stake in the combined entity of just under 20 percent and under a marketing alliance agreement will work with the merged businesses to assist in future development plans.

GECAT is the second largest provider of flight training services in Europe, with its principal operations at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, and Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport. GECAT has more than 120 customers, mainly in Europe and Asia, who include BMI, First Choice, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Philippine Airlines. It has 83 employees and operates 23 commercial flight simulators. GECAT is a JAA Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO) with approval for the most popular aircraft types. GECAT has developed a worldwide network of 55 simulators, its partners include Cathay Pacific, Aero Madrid, Air Canada, China Eastern, and Shandong Airlines.

Flight Academy is the leading provider of flight training services in Scandinavia and the Baltic regions, operating flight training centres at Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen and Riga. Flight Academy has 220 customers, including Scandinavian Airlines, its largest customer. It has approximately 180 employees and operates 17 commercial flight simulators

The combined business will be one of the leading independent flight training businesses globally. The new entity will be led by current GECAT head Brian Simpson who will be supported by Olof Bärve, the current head of Flight Academy. Brian Simpson and Olof Bärve together noted:

"STAR's investment will help accelerate our growth in the commercial pilot training sector, while continuing to leverage GECAS' strong relationships with the world's airlines. Combining our businesses is excellent news for all our customers and employees and will help position us for long-term success in this market."

GECAS President Henry Hubschman noted, "We believe our worldwide customers will benefit from the creation of one of the global leaders in flight training. We are pleased to be a continued shareholder and partner with the management team and STAR to grow the business".

Contact

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STAR Capital Partnership LLP

15th Floor, 33 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0PW
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)20 7016 8500
e-mail: mail@star-capital.com

Important Notice: we have become aware that an organisation with a similar name has been targeting individuals in the UK through unsolicited calls to make cryptocurrency investments. Our firm, STAR Capital Partnership LLP, does not engage in this type of activity.  Please see here for information on how to protect yourself from financial fraud and, if you have fallen victim to it, please report it to the UK Financial Conduct Authority by telephone or email: https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/protect-yourself-scams.