Jetcraft to take over the business aircraft division of AXON Aviation
Jetcraft is taking over the business aircraft division of AXON Aviation – the private jet sales, acquisitions and lease specialist based in London.
Niki Rokni, partner and head of Aircraft Sales at AXON Aviation told CJI: “Our clients will now get the same exceptional experience they received at AXON, whilst also benefitting from Jetcraft’s unique data-science led approach and global footprint.” The agreement follows years of partnership between AXON and Jetcraft in completing aircraft transactions around the world.
Asked why now was the right time for the handover, Rokni told us: “The AXON commercial aircraft sales and leasing business has grown tremendously over the past several years. After careful consideration, we have decided that now is the optimal time to shift our focus solely to this division.”
The AXON team will remain the same, now with additional focus on its commercial aircraft sales and leasing services, she added. AXON, which specialises in off-market listings, will continue to work with clients to providee a seamless transition, according to the company.
Jahid Fazal-Karim, owner and chairman of the Board at Jetcraft said: “I want to thank Niki and all at AXON for placing their trust in us. Jetcraft is a global force in the industry, offering the best-in-class service for aircraft sales, acquisitions and trades. By taking on AXON’s elite customer base and quality aircraft we continue our growth trajectory, providing the expertise nobody else can match.”
Transition plans
Aviation consultant Dustin Cordier, founder of StepZero expects to see more brokerages exploring their transition plans in the next 10 years. “A well capitalised buyer or two may make a run to consolidate firms,” he told CJI. “This will not be without it’s challenges as mass doesn’t necessarily create advantages in highly relationship driven businesses. Technology or some external factor may be the catalyst for multiplying the consolidated value. Otherwise, one plus one could equal less than two.”
Smaller firms should take note, said Cordier. “A strategic buyer looking to add a particular niche to their portfolio is likely the only available exit option for them via the private capital markets – it just so happens to be the most profitable as well,” he said.
Other options include a family transition or an employee transition initiative, such as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). “These options carry on a legacy and diversity risk but may leave money on the table,” he said. “There are ways firms can increase their attractiveness to a strategic buyer. “Reducing dependency on the owner for revenue and management duties and implementing repeatable systems are two of the biggest levers for them.”
Cordier predicted an exciting time in the coming years. “Companies that are deliberate in their strategy have a lot to gain and those who choose to ignore the coming changes will be commoditised further,” he added.