This article is based on an official press release from CORE Industrial Partners.

AxioAero Group Expands MRO Capabilities with Acquisition of Airway Aerospace

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.

Strategic Rationale: Vertical Integration

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.

Target Profile: Airway Aerospace

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:

• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• Fuel systems and flight controls
• Electrical components
• Thrust reversers and nacelles

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.

Executive Commentary

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.”

AirPro News Analysis

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.

Sources

• Business Wire

This article is based on an official press release from Bombardier and additional industry data.

Bombardier Announces CAD $100 Million Manufacturing Expansion in Dorval

On January 15, 2026, Bombardier officially announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in Québec. The company confirmed a CAD $100 million investment to construct a new, state-of-the-art facility in Dorval. According to the company’s statement, this project is designed to increase production capacity and productivity for its business jet programs to meet rising global demand.

The new 126,000-square-foot (approximately 11,700 square meters) center will be situated near the existing Challenger manufacturing plant and the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre. Bombardier expects the facility to be operational before the end of 2027. The project is being supported by the Québec government through a CAD $35 million repayable loan via Investissement Québec’s ESSOR program, an initiative aimed at fostering strategic economic growth.

Strategic Infrastructure and Job Creation

This expansion represents a major consolidation of Bombardier’s industrial footprint in the Montréal aerospace cluster. By locating the new center adjacent to existing assembly lines, the company aims to streamline logistics and assembly workflows. In its announcement, Bombardier noted that the project will create “hundreds” of highly skilled jobs, adding to the approximately 10,000 direct jobs the manufacturer already sustains across Québec.

David Murray, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing at Bombardier, emphasized the focus on efficiency in the company’s official statement:

“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to support Bombardier’s growth and build the infrastructure we need to maximize our productivity. As we expand our manufacturing capacity, we’re positioning ourselves to keep up with global demand…”

, David Murray, EVP Manufacturing, Bombardier

The provincial government has highlighted the ripple effects this investment will have on the local economy. Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, stated that the project generates “significant economic benefits for the entire Quebec supply chain.”

AirPro News Analysis: Market Context and Competition

While the official press release focuses on the infrastructure itself, AirPro News notes that this expansion arrives at a critical juncture for the business aviation sector. Following the FAA certification of the Global 8000 in late 2025, Bombardier is ramping up production of what is currently the world’s fastest and longest-range business jet. The new facility’s timing aligns with the need to support this flagship program alongside the high-demand Challenger 3500 and 650 lines.

Market data indicates that this move is necessary to maintain competitiveness in the ultra-long-range segment. Competitors are similarly aggressive; Gulfstream recently completed a $150 million expansion in Savannah, Georgia, and Dassault Aviation is progressing with its Falcon 10X program. With industry forecasts predicting a 5-12% increase in new business jet deliveries for 2026, manufacturers are racing to secure the capacity required to fulfill backlogs driven by fleet operators and fractional ownership growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total value of the investment?
The total investment is approximately CAD $100 million.

When will the new facility open?
Bombardier has scheduled the opening for before the end of 2027.

Is the government subsidizing this project?
The Québec government is providing a CAD $35 million repayable loan through the ESSOR program, not a grant.

Which aircraft programs will this support?
While the facility supports general business aircraft manufacturing, it is strategically positioned to assist with the ramp-up of the Global 8000 and the continued production of the Challenger family.

Sources

• Bombardier Inc.
• Investissement Québec
• Honeywell / Cirium (Market Outlook)

This article is based on an official press release from DRF Luftrettung.

DRF Maintenance Opens New Hangar in Straubing to Serve Southern Germany

DRF Maintenance GmbH, a subsidiary of the non-profit air rescue organization DRF Luftrettung, has officially commenced operations at its new MRO facility at Straubing-Wallmühle Airport (EDMS) in Lower Bavaria. According to a company press release issued in early January 2026, the new hangar is now fully operational and has already completed its first major maintenance contract.

The expansion marks a strategic effort to decentralize maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, specifically targeting fleet availability in Southern Germany and neighboring Austria. By establishing a foothold in Bavaria, the organization aims to reduce downtime associated with ferry flights to its primary headquarters.

Expanded MRO Capabilities and Infrastructure

The new Straubing facility operates as an EASA Part 145 certified maintenance organization. DRF Maintenance confirmed that the site is currently specialized in Base Maintenance for Airbus EC155 and H145 helicopters. The company plans to expand these capabilities in the near future to include the Airbus H135, a staple airframe in European air rescue fleets.

According to the announcement, the hangar is equipped with specialized maintenance docks and modern workstations designed for complex technical tasks. The infrastructure includes dedicated workshops for sheet metal repairs and avionics, allowing on-site technicians to handle base maintenance, detailed inspections, and modifications without outsourcing critical steps.

First Contract Completion

DRF Maintenance reported that the facility hit the ground running, successfully completing a comprehensive maintenance project immediately upon opening. The initial contract involved an “official helicopter”, designating a government or authority aircraft, which underwent software updates and detailed inspections of its engines and avionics systems.

Strategic Network Growth

The Straubing location serves as a complementary hub to DRF Maintenance’s existing network. The organization’s primary facility remains in Rheinmünster (Baden-Württemberg) at the Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, which is recognized as one of Europe’s largest helicopter MRO centers. A separate facility in Wilhelmshaven serves Northern Germany.

In the press release, the company emphasized that the Straubing site was selected to serve as a regional hub. This location is intended to support:

• Internal Fleet: DRF Luftrettung helicopters stationed at nearby HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) bases.
• External Clients: Private operators, public/government fleets, and ARA Flugrettung (DRF’s Austrian subsidiary).

Hendrik Schubien, Managing Director of DRF Maintenance GmbH, highlighted the customer-centric focus of the expansion:

“The opening in Straubing is an important step, both for us and for our customers. It brings our service quality closer to them and at the same time enables more efficient processes. As part of DRF Luftrettung, we benefit from over 50 years of experience in air rescue and maintenance. This expertise remains at the heart of our quality promise.”

, Hendrik Schubien, Managing Director of DRF Maintenance GmbH

AirPro News Analysis

The opening of the Straubing hangar represents a logical logistical evolution for DRF Luftrettung. As operators modernize their fleets, DRF recently transitioned to the five-bladed H145 (D3) and modern H135s, the demand for specialized, certified maintenance slots increases. By placing a Part 145 facility in Southeast Germany, the operator significantly cuts the “non-productive” flight hours previously required to ferry aircraft across the country to Rheinmünster for routine heavy maintenance.

Furthermore, the inclusion of third-party service capabilities suggests a business model designed to offset operational costs. Straubing-Wallmühle Airport is already an established ecosystem for aviation technology (hosting companies like Avionik Straubing), making it an attractive location for external clients seeking high-standard MRO services in the region.

Sources

• DRF Luftrettung