Notwithstanding the 2008-2009 downturn, the world air transport market has demonstrated strong growth in the last decade, both in terms of passenger numbers (+62.8% between 2007 and 2018) and freight volume (+40.6% over the same period).

Over half of the world’s 1.4 billion tourists who traveled across international borders in 2018 were transported by air. Looking ahead, we expect that the number of passengers will continue doubling every 12 years, under the impulse of low-cost carriers.

The air freight is also forecasting robust growth thanks to increasing cross-border Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities, as 90% are fulfilled by air. Air transport now carries about 35% of the world trade by value.

As most airports worldwide are facing capacity issues to meet this growth, new innovative technologies are necessary to ensure a safe and efficient passenger and goods flow. New communication and surveillance tools, collaborative software and decision-making applications, biometric devices and IoT solutions are currently being developed to alleviate the challenges faced by airports and airlines.

In addition, companies are searching for ways to reduce carbon emissions both in the air and in the airport, as the industry is under pressure to improve its environmental performance.

These various trends necessitate high technology investments from airlines, airports and their technology suppliers, small and large. However, many local and regional suppliers are battling to find the capital required to invest in new technologies and maintain their leadership position.

Investaura helps suppliers to airport and airlines find the right partners, whether industrial players or financial investors. We bring the experience acquired from multiple M&A assignments in the airport industry, involving both local and worldwide players. We also support our clients operationally during and after the transition.

We understand the business of our (often family-owned) clients well and make sure that their lifetime work is given a bright future in the hands of a new owner.

For more information about our M&A consulting services in the airport Industry, feel free to contact guy.spillebeen@investaura.de.