MRO & Manufacturing
AxioAero Group Expands MRO Services with Airway Aerospace Acquisition
AxioAero Group, backed by CORE Industrial Partners, acquires Airway Aerospace to integrate parts distribution and repair services in aerospace MRO.
This article is based on an official press release from CORE Industrial Partners.
AxioAero Group, a portfolio company of the private equity firm CORE Industrial Partners, has officially announced the Acquisitions of Airway Aerospace LLC. The transaction, announced on January 7, 2026, marks a significant expansion for the Florida-based aerospace platform as it seeks to vertically integrate aftermarket services.
This acquisition represents the second major investment for the AxioAero platform. It follows the January 2024 purchase of Aviation Concepts, LLC, a distributor of mission-critical aircraft parts. By acquiring Airway Aerospace, AxioAero aims to combine parts distribution with specialized maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, creating a more robust service offering for commercial and military aviation clients.
According to the press release, the primary driver behind this transaction is the creation of a vertically integrated aftermarket aerospace platform. The integration of Airway Aerospace is designed to complement the existing capabilities of Aviation Concepts.
Jason Fulton, a Partner at CORE Industrial Partners, highlighted the operational benefits of this combination in a statement regarding the deal:
“Combining ACI’s [Aviation Concepts] parts distribution network with Airway’s repair offerings improves turnaround times and delivers greater value to customers.”
The strategy focuses on offering a “one-stop” solution that can reduce turnaround times, a critical metric in the aviation industry, by housing both component supply and repair services under one umbrella. The deal also expands AxioAero’s market reach across cargo, commercial, and defense sectors.
Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Doral, Florida, Airway Aerospace operates as an FAA-certified repair station. The company holds certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the EASA, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), allowing it to service a global customer base.
Airway specializes in the repair and overhaul of critical aircraft components, including: The company services a wide range of aircraft platforms, including the Boeing 737, 747, and 767, as well as the Airbus A320 family, A300, and A330. It also supports military variants such as the Boeing 707. Additionally, Airway possesses RS-DER (Repair Specification Designated Engineering Representative) authority, enhancing its technical engineering capabilities.
Matt Haugk, CEO of AxioAero Group, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the acquisition in the company’s announcement:
“The acquisition of Airway Aerospace marks an important step in AxioAero’s strategy to build a differentiated platform in the aerospace aftermarket… Together, we will continue to expand capabilities and deliver value to customers worldwide.”
Joe Ferrer, the owner of Airway Aerospace, will remain with the company following the transaction. He expressed confidence in the partnership’s ability to support growth while maintaining the company’s established culture:
“We view AxioAero Group as the ideal partner to support our continued growth while ensuring the Company retains its core identity, culture, and small-business agility.”
We observe that this transaction aligns with broader trends in the aerospace MRO sector, where private equity firms are increasingly consolidating fragmented markets. By acquiring specialized repair stations like Airway, platforms like AxioAero can mitigate supply chain volatility. Owning both the parts distribution (via Aviation Concepts) and the repair capability (via Airway) provides a hedge against the parts shortages that have plagued the post-2020 aviation landscape. Furthermore, with aging fleets of B737 and A320 aircraft requiring more frequent maintenance, the demand for the specific component repairs offered by Airway is likely to remain strong.
AxioAero Group Expands MRO Capabilities with Acquisition of Airway Aerospace
Strategic Rationale: Vertical Integration
Target Profile: Airway Aerospace
Executive Commentary
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: AxioAero Group