LSG Lufthansa Service, a division of the German flag carrier, has increased its stake in fellow in-flight caterer Sky Chefs from 24% to 48% in a deal worth $268 million. LSG bought the stake from Toronto-based Onex, which will retain a 48% holding. LSG has the right to buy the rest of Sky Chefs by the end of 2003. French industrial cleaning group Penauille has agreed to buy UK ground handling specialist Servisair for £94 million ($154 million), trumping an attempted take-over by UK construction group Amey. Northrop Grumman is to buy California Microwave's Information Systems division for $93 million. The Baltimore-based business provides the US military with airborne reconnaissance and surveillance and ground-based satcoms systems. Air and ground defence command, control and communications supplier Elbit Systems has made a $10 million offer for aerostructures manufacturer and aircraft maintenance and logistics provider Cyclone Aviation Products. Both companies are based in Israel. Boeing has agreed to sell its McDonnell Douglas Technical Services contract labour subsidiary to a group of senior managers and CIVC Partners, a private equity fund affiliated to the Bank of America, for an undisclosed sum. American Trans Air parent Amtran is to acquire Chicago Express Airlines, an independent carrier that provides commuter services for ATA at Chicago Midway airport. Defence electronics and avionics supplier L-3 Communications has agreed to acquire US compatriot Aydin, a telemetry specialist involved in Joint Strike Fighter flight test instrumentation projects, for $72 million. Avionics giant Sextant Avionique has completed its $62 million purchase of a 51% stake in B/E Aerospace's in-flight entertainment business. Nolan Acquisition Partners of the USA has launched a $260 million bid for Dallas-based Aviall, the world's largest aircraft parts distributor.
Source: Flight International
