EMC helps land helicopter deal

Surrey-based Starspeed, one of Europe’s oldest and most trusted corporate and VIP helicopter management, charter and training companies, has been sold to Luxaviation Helicopters, part of Luxembourg-based Luxaviation, with the help of EMC.

Under the terms of the deal, Starspeed will retain its leadership, identity and personnel but have access to the expanded portfolio and Luxaviation’s considerable resources.

Starspeed’s line-up of 23 managed aircraft will be incorporated into Luxaviation’s 19-strong rotorcraft fleet making it the largest VIP helicopter provider in the world.

Company chief executive Charlotte Pedersen said: “We were looking for a company with a great reputation to help us to grow the helicopter market, and become the global brand in high-end rotorcraft management and charter, just as Luxaviation has done in the business aircraft sector.”

Luxaviation, formed in 2009 with a single business jet, has acquired six companies since 2011, and now ranks as the world’s largest business aircraft charter and management company with a fleet of 250 fixed-wing aircraft.