Thomson-CSF subsidiary Sextant has become the sole owner of in-flight entertainment provider Sextant In-Flight Systems after acquiring the 49% of shares held by B/E Aerospace. Sextant took an initial 51% stake when the joint venture was created in January. The European Commission's review of the proposed AlliedSignal-Honeywell merger has entered its second phase. Shareholders in the two, meanwhile, have approved the merger, which will create the industry's biggest supply-tier player. Textron Financial is to purchase Green Tree Financial Servicing's aircraft and franchise finance divisions. Green Tree is one of the largest providers of secured financing to the owner-operated general aviation aircraft market. General Dynamics has completed its $1.05 billion acquisition of GTE Government Systems. The latter's three business units become part of GD's Information and Technology division. American Airlines absorbed Reno Air on 31 August, inheriting 2,100 staff, 25 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 aircraft, 182 extra daily flights and 23 routes. Eastwind Airlines is still available for purchase, despite a decision to close it from 8 September. The closure move came after a prospective buyer failed to agree terms. Litton Industries has consolidated its Applied Technology and Amecom electronic-warfare divisions into a new unit, Litton Advanced Systems, bringing threat warning systems, electronic support measures and passive radio-frequency detection systems. Ground services specialist Worldwide Flight Services has bought Aerolink International of Pittsburgh, a warehousing provider for British Airways, US Airways and others. Dallas-based Aviation Group has appointed financial experts Chanin Kirkland Messina to advise on a possible asset sale. Its businesses include aircraft painting specialist Pride Aviation, ground handler Tri-Star Airline Services, fixed-base operator Casper Air Service and a batteries and components division.
Source: Flight International
