Priester to acquire Mayo Aviation

Operator Priester Aviation is acquiring charter company Mayo Aviation, in a bid to enhance its customer service.

The Chicago-headquartered Priester and Colorado-based Mayo will continue to have separate brands while sharing resources to be more efficient without reducing staff from either firm. Both firms have been family owned for generations.

“For other companies, success comes from collecting assets and focusing on the bottom line,” said Andy Priester, CEO and chairman, Priester Aviation (pictured). “For us, success is found in the service we provide and the relationships we build. This is an opportunity to blend two incredible, talented teams who are focused on building and enhancing relationships.”

The CEO said that the acquisition will allow Priester to do more for its clients and from that “success in the marketplace will follow”.

Bill Mayo, CEO, Mayo Aviation said the focus on the partnership is to build upon the relationships already established by both firms. He will continue to be “an integral part” of Mayo and continue in a leadership role after the acquisition.

He continued: “In Priester, we see a company that focuses on the same elements we do. Our parents and families understood that this is a customer-based business. The legacy that they built is on display every day in every interaction.” Mayo added: “We are proud to enter into a partnership that will grow that.”

The combined fleets of the companies will increase the nation-wide scale of Priester’s charter offerings. Over the next months, the companies will share best practices and plan how best serve their shared clients.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, is expected to be completed over the new few months.  

In July, Priester announced it was relaunching its Centerline Jet Card in response to market demand, having previously entered five new aircraft into charter service from its managed fleet.

Acquisition players – at a glance:

Priester Aviation:

• Founded in 1945.
• Family-owned for three generations.
• Fleet of 19 aircraft (AMSTAT) including Beechcraft Hawker 4000, Bombardier Challenger 300, Bombardier Global 6000, Cessna Citation XLS+ and Gulfstream G550.

Mayo Aviation:

• Founded in 1978.
• Family-owned for two generations.
• Fleet of 13 aircraft (AMSTAT) including Beechcraft Hawker 800XP, Beechcraft King Air 200, Bombardier Challenger 300, Cessna Citation CJ3 and Gulfstream G450.