Air Works India completes EAG stake deal

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The stake buyout transaction by Air Works India Engineering in Empire Aviation Group has been successfully completed, EAG's financial advisor for the deal Alpen Capital has said.

Air Works India Engineering Pvt Ltd, which maintains and repairs aircraft, was reported last week to have bought stake in Dubai-based EAG for Rs 120 crore.

The strategic investment was done through Air Works' UK-based subsidiary Air Works UK Engineering Ltd and was financed by a structured debt from a consortium of lenders led by KKR Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd, the Dubai-based financial advisor said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Alpen Capital is delighted to announce the successful closure of this complex M&A transaction, where Alpen Capital acted as the sole financial advisor representing the sellers," Alpen Capital (ME) Ltd MD Sanjay Vig said.

"The GCC-India corridor has a lot of potential and with our presence and expertise in both these markets; we feel we are well equipped to advise clients on such cross border deals," Vig said.

Formed in Dubai in 2007, EAG is a one-stop shop for integrated private aviation services offering aircraft sales, aircraft management, aircraft charter, and aircraft finance and insurance, the statement said.

At present, Empire has more than 100 staff and operates one of Middle East's largest managed fleets of non-royal business jets, with 20 aircraft under management, operating out of Dubai International Airport.

Established in 1951, Air Works is India's only EASA certified provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

They maintain 50 aircraft types, for over 100 customers across 15 maintenance locations in India. This acquisition will help Air Works increase its footprint in the Middle East and provide world-class aircraft management services to its customers in India.

Commenting on this acquisition, Air Works managing director Vivek Gour said: "In continuation of our long-term strategy to add significant capabilities to our service portfolio, Air Works is delighted to announce this strategic investment in Empire Aviation Group which has a great business model, a very experienced management team and a strong reputation within the regional and international industry."

Commenting on the partnership, EAG co-founder and executive director, Paras Dhamecha said since the company's formation in 2007, EAG has successfully built a strong regional aviation business.

"We have also recently been looking at the exciting potential of the Indian aviation market and opened our first branch office there in 2011. So, we warmly welcome this partnership with Air Works, which will help facilitate our entry into India," he said.