Story ID: 477HAI19
Boeing Buys EFB App-maker ForeFlight
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Boeing has been working with ForeFlight for the past two years and today announced the purchase of the popular app-maker. 
Word Count: 318
In a surprise announcement, Boeing yesterday revealed that it has completed the acquisition of ForeFlight (Booth C3229), the developer of the ForeFlight electronic flight bag app. Two years ago, the two companies partnered to make Boeing unit Jeppesen’s aeronautical data and charts available in ForeFlight. They will now work together “to bring innovative, expanded digital solutions to all segments of the aviation industry.”

The ForeFlight app has gained significant traction in business aviation, offering more functionality and advanced features compared to Jeppesen’s own Mobile FliteDeck and FliteDeck Pro tablet applications. But Jeppesen has enjoyed strong penetration of the air transport and business aviation segments. According to a survey conducted by AIN early last year, Jeppesen’s apps were the most popular for business aviation pilots who responded to the survey. ForeFlight came in a strong second.

FliteDeck is also unique because it is available, for large fleet users, on Microsoft Windows devices such as the Surface series tablets. ForeFlight is designed to run on Apple iOS devices.

Boeing’s purchase of ForeFlight, which employs 180 people, “aligns with Boeing's growth strategy of complementing organic investments with targeted, strategic investments that position the company for long-term growth,” the company said.

“We’ve worked with Boeing for the past two years, and what our teams have accomplished together is truly incredible,” said Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and CEO. “We’re inspired by what Boeing is doing—they are innovating in so many areas—and there is so much we can accomplish together. Since we started ForeFlight, we’ve changed the way pilots fly and made a measurable impact on safety. That will continue at Boeing, where we have access to a broad array of resources that we will use to create even greater things for ForeFlight customers.”

Boeing did not disclose terms of the acquisition.
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