The UK's BBA Group has agreed to acquire the AMR Combs chain of fixed-base operations (FBOs) for $170 million. BBA owns Signature Flight Support, the largest USFBO chain, and the acquisition will consolidate its dominance of this sector of general aviation.
Bidders for the highly respected AMR Combs operation, put up for sale by American Airlines' parent AMR, included Atlantic Aviation, Garrett Aviation, Hawthorne-Piedmont, and possibly even Bombardier, believes Aviation Resources Group, a consultancy covering the FBO industry.
The deal requires regulatory approval, but anti-trust objections are not anticipated as AMR has FBOs at only a few of the airports served by Signature.
Aviation Resources believes the acquisition is a good fit for BBA and may accelerate the company's plans to expand its FBO business internationally. Both AMR and Signature operate FBOs outside the USA.
Aviation Resources is concerned that the premium paid by BBA for the AMR Combs chain may "delude" owners into inflating the value of their FBOs. "AMR was a trophy opportunity," stresses executive vice-president Greg Ross.
Source: Flight International
