LIBN: ExcelAire Acquired by Hawthorne Global Aviation

01/24/2012

"Ronkonkoma-based ExcelAire has been acquired by Charleston, S.C.-based Hawthorne Global Aviation Services.

Hawthorne announced the deal Monday, just hours after it closed. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Under the terms of the deal, ExcelAire, a fixed-based operator, aircraft charter and management company based at MacArthur Airport, will retain its current leadership and no personnel changes are expected.

The Ronkonkoma-based charter flight service will keep the name ExcelAire, although the fixed-based operator portion of the company will likely be renamed Hawthorne, ExcelAire President David Rimmer said.

“We are pleased to be associated with a group such as Hawthorne that is so highly regarded in the general aviation industry,” Rimmer said. “The Hawthorne team brings significant experience and deep resources to our operation and we look forward to delivering an even greater service experience to our customers. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will see our fleet grow both locally and around the country.”

And Rimmer added ExcelAire’s presence at MacArthur is already growing. The company currently has 20 large cabin aircraft to coincide with its 40-year leases on three airport properties. And there are plans for ExcelAire to redevelop two sites that will add additional hangar space, leading to increased employment, revenue and fuel sales.

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services was formed in November 2011 as a joint venture between Hawthorne Corporation and Moelis Capital Partners.

Moelis Capital Managing Partner Kurt Larsen said to expect Hawthorne to make many similar acquisitions in the future.

“This is an excellent first deal for Hawthorne’s current platform that will provide a firm foundation from which we build a network of FBOs across North America,” he said."

http://libn.com/2012/01/24/excelaire-acquired-by-hawthorne-global-aviation/

Callegari, John. (January 2012). ExcelAire acquired by Hawthorne Global Aviation. Long Island Business News. Retrieved January  24, 2012, from www.libn.com