In a deal not yet seen in the Russian aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, Russian company VTS Jets has acquired the Moscow Vnukovo’s maintenance station from its Swiss founder and owner Jet Aviation, which in turn is owned by USA’s General Dynamics Corporation.
According to Rusaviainsider.com, no financial details of the transaction, which was completed this week, have been disclosed. Insiders suggest the sale may have been prompted by the fact that Jet Aviation is itself owned by the U.S. aerospace and defense company General Dynamics, bearing in mind the current international sanctions imposed on Russia by western countries.
Andrey Akopov, general director of VTS Jets confirmed to business aviation news website Ato.ru that his company has purchased the Russian entity Jet Aviation Vnukovo Ltd, in a deal which includes all of its equipment. Some 30 personnel will continue working for the Vnukovo-3-based company under the new owner.
VTS Jets is owned by Jetport, a company also located at the Vnukovo-3 business aviation centre. Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo will be re-branded as Jetport Technics, but will legally remain a separate company, a 100 per cent subsidiary of VTS Jets.
According to Akopov, VTS Jets, which specializes in line maintenance for Bombardier business jets, is interested in its new subsidiary’s approvals and certificates.
“The company is handed over to us in full working order and it will not stop operations once it changes hands. In the future we intend to continue developing its business aviation aircraft maintenance capabilities to complement the resources of VTS Jets,” he added.
