Pan Am parent Guilford Transportation Industries is planning to buy ailing Nations Air. The purchase could hasten Pan Am's shift to scheduled operations - a move that might also be aided by the US FAA's decision to suspend, rather than revoke, the air operator's certificate of Kiwi International Airlines, in which it has invested $3 million. Netherlands-based express cargo specialist TNT has agreed to buy the door-to-door air freight unit of Ansett Australia, a business set up by former Ansett managing director Sir Peter Abeles, who was then also with TNT. France's Regional Airlines is taking a 34% stake in Air Liberté franchisee Flandre Air and is creating a 50:50 maintenance joint venture, Regional Aircraft Services, with overhaul specialist LAB. Fairchild of the USA has completed its acquisition of Kaynar Technologies for $261 million, plus a debt transfer, creating what it says is "the leading global aerospace fastener company", with a combined turnover of $800 million. Avborne, a new Miami-based aircraft maintenance venture which will rank among the 10 largest in North America by revenue, has been formed through the integration of Paramount Aviation, Professional Modification Services and Nortek Repair Center. The European Commission has raised concerns over increased congestion at Amsterdam Schiphol airport if KLM's planned take-over of Martinair goes ahead. A ruling is expected by 11 June. Meanwhile, the Dutch flag carrier has spun off its pension fund as an independent company. Acquisitive US avionics company L-3 Communications is to purchase global positioning specialist Interstate Electronics from Scott Technologies for $60 million, having just completed its purchase of Aydin. Amtran, the parent of American Trans Air, the USA's largest charter carrier, is to take over two Detroit-based travel agencies, Travel Charter International and KeyTours.
Source: Flight International
