Rigby Group on the acquisition trail again as it snaps up South West air charter business

ENTREPRENEUR Sir Peter Rigby’s company has bought Exeter-based Capital Air Charter.

It has been acquired by West Midlands-based Rigby Group’s aviation division for an unspecified sum.

Operating both the Capital Air Charter and Capital Air Ambulance services, the company offers executive corporate and private chartered flights, medical repatriation and urgent freight services throughout Europe.

It is the South West’s largest private air charter operator.

Services will continue to be operated under its own brand as future plans are finalised.

Capital Air Charter managing director and chief pilot Malcolm Humphries said: “This is a hugely significant announcement for both companies.

“Being part of the Rigby Group will enable us to capitalise on opportunities that we were simply unable to grasp in the past.”

Rigby Group, which under its British International Helicopters (BIH) brand already represents one of the UK’s largest domestically owned commercial aviation and offshore helicopter services companies, plans to grow Capital Air Charter’s market share extensively over the next few years and to develop both its aero medical services and its contracted charter capabilities.

Group chairman and chief executive Sir Peter Rigby said: “Regional aviation is vitally important to the economic development of regions, not just in the UK but across the world. I am delighted to welcome everyone at Capital Air Charter to our fast growing team.

“Over the last two decades they have worked hard to establish the company as the South West’s largest air ambulance and private air charter operator with an enviable reputation, and I am very much looking forward to working together as we continue to expand operations and build on that success.”

The Capital Air Charter acquisition marks the sixth M&A deal the Rigby Group group has undertaken in 2014, and the 11th since launching its new acquisition strategy in 2013.

Rigby Group has diversified from its origins as a principally technology-led business and evolved into a £1.8bn business with interests in the technology, airports, hotels, real estate, financial and aviation sectors.

Its businesses include Europe’s largest independent technology provider – Birmingham-based SCC -, British International Helicopters, the Eden Hotel Group, international property developer Rigby and Rigby and Regional & City Airports.