Shareholders in US Airways Express carrier CCAIR have approved its merger with Mesa Air, of which it will become a wholly-owned subsidiary. Heroux has increased its involvement in Bombardier's Canadair Regional Jet programme by acquiring fellow Canadian aerostructures companies Metro Machining and Les Industries CAT. Turboméca is to acquire the Pennsylvania-based engine repair and overhaul division of Keystone Helicopters, in a bid to improve aftermarket service for operators of Turboméca-powered Agusta, Eurocopter and Sikorsky helicopters based in the north-east USA. IMP Group International has bought the former Canadian Airlines hangar at Halifax International Airport to accommodate expansion and diversification of its aviation and aerospace divisions. Local authority-owned Manchester Airport has acquired an 82.7% stake in Humberside Airport in eastern England, an airport previously owned by local councils. PPG Industries is to acquire coatings and sealants specialist PRC-DeSoto International (formerly Courtaulds Aerospace) of California from Akzo Nobel for $512 million. Sabreliner is selling its Arizona-based Dimension Aviation operation to an investor group led by maintenance consultancy Aviation Management Systems (AMS) in a move marking its withdrawal from the commercial airliner maintenance market. The company had previously closed its Miami-based Sabretech operation, which was implicated in the 1996 ValuJet crash. Sabreliner plans to focus on corporate aircraft maintenance. UK Aerospace distribution specialist UMECO is to acquire aircraft chemicals and electronic components ASED from the TI Group for $19 million. Litton Industries has agreed to acquire Avondale Industries for $529 million, gazumping Newport News Shipbuilding, which had made a $470 million offer for the New Orleans-based company.
Source: Flight International
