Complete Aircraft Group Acquires Aerocare Aviation Services

Alan Barnes (left) and Jason Davies (right)
Credit: Complete Aircraft Group

JMC Group subsidiary Complete Aircraft Group (CAG) has completed its acquisition of Aerocare Aviation Services, a UK-based MRO, interiors and paint specialist. The acquisition will break CAG into the business aircraft segment and potentially expand Aerocare’s capabilities for larger commercial aircraft.

Based in Exeter, England, CAG provides aircraft tooling, parts and components for a variety of commercial aircraft, including Airbus, ATR, Boeing, Bombardier, De Havilland and Embraer models. Aerocare, which is based at Hawarden Chester Airport, specializes in support services for business aircraft such as Beechcraft, Cessna, Embraer and Learjet models. It holds Part 145 certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and FAA.

“We look forward to maximizing group synergy, not just within CAG through our work sourcing and managing high quality aircraft, aircraft tooling, parts and components for customers worldwide, but with our aircraft acquisition, teardown and oversight expertise, and especially with our Mobile Repair Team specialists,” says Alan Barnes, head of operations at CAG.

Barnes says CAG is interested in exploring new markets for aircraft maintenance. “We believe there is need—and the market big enough, for widened aftermarket support, maximizing the capabilities of our combined 100-strong workforce,” he says. “This is good for the UK, too, as we position ourselves as a reliable, efficient closing center for pre-owned business aircraft inspections, post Brexit.”

However, the acquisition will also potentially expand Aerocare’s capabilities into the commercial aircraft market. According to CAG, one of its first post-acquisition priorities is bolstering Aerocare’s paint facility.

“This is an area of immediate investment, involving the modification and widening of the hangar doors to accommodate bigger aircraft,” says Barnes. “We see increasing demand to tap into regional (turboprop) types for paint work—such as the De Havilland Q400 and ATR72, as well as supporting larger business jets like the Bombardier Challenger and Global family.”

Aerocare will continue to operate under its own brand name. CAG has appointed Peter Mankelow as Aerocare’s new managing director. Mankelow will replace Jason Davies, who is joining CAG’s business development team.

Lindsay Bjerregaard

Lindsay Bjerregaard is managing editor for Aviation Week’s MRO portfolio. Her coverage focuses on MRO technology, workforce, and product and service news for MRO Digest, Inside MRO and Aviation Week Marketplace.