Story ID: 
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services Changes Hands
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, which operates six FBOs in the eastern and central U.S., has been sold to a new joint-venture investment partnership.
Word Count: 233
In the latest transaction in a heated FBO consolidation market, Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, which operates six FBOs in the eastern and central U.S., has changed hands. Moelis Capital Partners had owned the company—which traces its aviation industry roots back 90 years—since 2011 and it has now been purchased by a new joint venture between global investment manager Wafra and Nova Infrastructure in a move that will infuse new funding into the brand and could see it add more locations.

“Hawthorne has a history of strong operational performance and this investment represents an opportunity for organic and strategic growth in the fragmented market of FBOs,” explained Adel Alderbas, Wafra’s chief investment officer. “Together with Nova, we look forward to seeing Hawthorne expand its reach, realizing its potential as a leading platform of FBO assets.”

Hawthorne operates facilities at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, New York; Chicago Executive Airport; Tuscaloosa (Alabama) Regional Airport; Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Atlanta Cobb County International Airport; and Sioux (Iowa) Gateway Airport. At the latter three destinations, it is the lone aviation service provider.

“We believe Hawthorne’s existing locations form a leading, multi-region FBO network, and with Nova and Wafra’s support we look forward to expanding our footprint to serve a greater portion of the aviation industry,” said Hawthorne CEO Chuck Kegley.