Priester acquires Hill Aviation’s charter and management business

Priester Aviation has acquired Hill Aviation’s private jet charter and management services for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will enable the businesses to benefit from Priester’s nationwide infrastructure and Hill’s private aviation’s charter and management expertise in Atlanta and Priester’s Mayo Aviation in the Rocky Mountain West, according to the company.

The deal will allow all three companies to grow opportunities together and improve services to clients, said Andy Priester, chairman and CEO, Priester Aviation. “Now Hill, along with Priester and Mayo, can grow with added infrastructure and support, while still honoring and respecting what has already been built over the last six decades,” said Priester. “Hill’s culture and people have been central to its success. We’re excited to engage Guy [Hill Jr] and his team as part of the larger Priester family as we thrive together.”

Hill Aviation’s private jet charter and management services will be branded as Hill Private Aviation. Hill will also continue to operate an FBO, which is not part of the deal, at Atlanta Fulton County Executive Airport, Georgia.

The acquisition continues Priester’s strategy of developing customer-focused, family-led companies that started with acquisition of Mayo Aviation last year. “Independent, family-run aviation companies keep their focus on empowering aircraft owners and charter customers, rather than shareholders or impersonal conglomerates,” said Priester, pictured above.

“Just like our clients know that I’m ultimately the person they can talk to and answer any concerns, Guy Hill has led the way in Atlanta and he’ll still be doing that,” he added. “When you’re able to connect directly with the person whose name is on the door, that’s significant.”

Hill Private Aviation management customers will benefit from fuel and insurance savings, as well as crew scheduling and training and maintenance oversight, said the company. Priester, Mayo, and Hill Private Aviation clients also benefit from the independently operated FBO at Fulton County airport.

Meanwhile, Hill Aircraft has formed a partnership with Stevens Aerospace for the delivery of parts services. The Stevens Aerospace MRO operated from three locations at Greenville, South Carolina, Dayton, Oho, Nashville, Tennessee and now at Hill Aircraft in Atlanta. Christian Sasfai, president, Stevens Aerospace said: “We are excited to expand our footprint into the Atlanta area with a fixed location. Our mobile service unit has been serving Atlanta but with the addition of this hangar space, we can expand our passionate people delivering exceptional service.”