UAE-based helicopter and jet charter operator Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) has announced formal plans to take over Falcon Aviation, the other main helicopter concern based in the UAE capital.
In a disclosure to Abu Dhabi Securities Market, where it is listed, ADA said last week that it had decided to “send a formal acquisition offer to Falcon Aviation Services,” following the signing of a letter of intent in April to go ahead with an “expansion plan” involving Falcon.
ADA officials confirmed that a possible deal is in play, while a representative of Falcon Aviation did not respond to a request for comment. AIN also understands that the MRO facility set up by Falcon Aviation at Dubai South could be taken over by another business aviation company with a strong presence in the Middle East.
As a leading oil and gas player in the Middle East, ADA was issued the first AOC in the UAE in 1976. Its fleet now embraces 65 aircraft, including 56 mostly Bell and Leonardo helicopters and seven fixed-wing Bombardier jets. As of 2019, Falcon Aviation’s fleet consisted of 26 helicopters and seven airplanes.
Falcon Aviation is understood to be privately owned by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family. Its website lists HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as chairman of the board of directors.