Abu Dhabi’s Aviation Investment Group has became the owner of on-demand private aircraft charter platform Fly Victor. The deal announced on Thursday involved Gulf-based investors acquiring all outstanding shares in the company from founder and chairman Clive Jackson.
According to London-based Fly Victor, its new backers intend to fund expansion into new markets. It has yet to announce details of the growth plans, but indicated that these will involve upgrading the flight booking platform’s customer service and the recruitment of specialist staff “with deep knowledge of the markets that the brand will move into.”
Aviation Investment Group will be represented on the Fly Victor board, along with co-CEOs Toby Edwards and James Farley, and finance director Stuart Manning. This leadership team was involved in a management buyout in March 2020 from previous owners Alyssum Group.
“The acquisition will provide the financial and strategic backing to make our vision a reality,” said Edwards. “This includes Victor continuing to take a leadership role in making aviation more sustainable, and adopting the most credible carbon emission reduction solutions such as sustainable aviation fuel.”
Jackson indicated that he intends to work with the UK and European Union governments to introduce a new reporting framework for aviation emissions. Under his leadership, Fly Victor was one of the first private flight providers to offer carbon offsets.