First Class Air has acquired and partnered with Oklahoma-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider Vertical Aerospace, adding a 226,000-square-foot facility and specialized structural repair capabilities to its growing aviation aftermarket platform.

The transaction, announced in an October 5, 2026, press release, significantly expands the Louisville, Kentucky-headquartered company’s in-house engineering and fabricated part manufacturing capacity. The deal marks a continuation of First Class Air’s strategic expansion following its rebranding earlier in the year, which unified multiple aviation aftermarket companies under a single corporate umbrella to provide comprehensive lifecycle support for aircraft operators.

Expanding structural repair capabilities

The integration of Vertical Aerospace brings specialized in-house repair processes to First Class Air. The Bristow, Oklahoma, facility is equipped with an autoclave and a clean room, alongside dedicated capabilities for phosphoric acid anodizing and cleaning. The site also features non-destructive testing (NDT), heat treating, welding, laser tracking, and advanced engineering and design systems.

Vertical Aerospace specializes in the repair and overhaul of nacelles, thrust reversers, and flight control surfaces. The company also handles complex composite and metallic structural repairs for cowlings, ducts, and exhaust components. These services support a wide range of commercial, cargo, and military aircraft platforms.

First Class Air Chief Executive Officer Isac Roths stated that the acquisition provides a highly experienced team and differentiated capabilities that complement the organization’s existing services across the global aircraft lifecycle.

“Our focus has always been on finding better ways to solve problems for our customers and keep their aircraft operating. By bringing Vertical Aerospace’s structural repair, engineering and fabricated part manufacturing expertise together with our existing distribution, MRO, DER, PMA, teardown and [exchange programs]…” Roths said in the press release.

Following the investment, Vertical Aerospace will maintain its operations at the Bristow facility. Founder and General Manager Tray Siegfried will continue to lead the Oklahoma-based team, ensuring continuity for existing customers and regulatory authorities.

Building an integrated aftermarket platform

The partnership with Vertical Aerospace represents the latest step in First Class Air’s strategy to build a comprehensive, nose-to-tail aftermarket platform. On April 19, 2026, the company rebranded from FCAH Aerospace to First Class Air. This move was designed to unify its specialized operating companies under a single integrated brand, streamlining its market presence and service offerings.

Prior to the October 5 announcement, the First Class Air portfolio consisted of five distinct entities: Cargo Repair, First Class Air Support, Cobalt Aero Services, Innodyne Systems, and Survival Products. Together, these divisions provide parts distribution, Designated Engineering Representative (DER) repairs, Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) manufacturing, aircraft teardowns, and component exchange programs.

Vertical Aerospace, which is distinct from the United Kingdom-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer of the same name, was founded by Siegfried in December 2012. Over the past 14 years, the company has built a specialized niche in heavy structural repairs. The MRO provider holds repair station certifications from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as an AS9100 Rev. D quality system certification, which is a critical standard for aerospace manufacturing and supply chain operations.

AirPro News analysis

We view this acquisition as a direct response to ongoing supply chain constraints and maintenance bottlenecks affecting commercial and cargo operators. The aviation aftermarket and MRO sector has seen ongoing consolidation as platforms like First Class Air seek to offer comprehensive services to reduce maintenance downtime. By bringing specialized structural repair and fabricated part manufacturing in-house, First Class Air reduces its reliance on third-party vendors for complex composite and metallic work. The addition of a 226,000-square-foot facility with heavy industrial capabilities, such as autoclaves and phosphoric acid anodizing, allows the platform to capture higher-margin structural repair work that operators are increasingly looking to outsource to single-source aftermarket providers.

McFarlane Aviation has acquired Anchorage-based Airglas, Inc., integrating the specialized manufacturer of backcountry aircraft skis and cargo pods into its global distribution network while keeping production in Alaska.

Announced on September 30, 2026, the acquisition brings Airglas composite skis, heavy-duty nose forks, and fuel pods into the newly formed McFarlane Alaska brand. The move consolidates McFarlane Aviation’s hold on the ruggedized aviation modification market and provides Airglas with expanded international reach, according to the company’s press release.

Expanding the Alaska footprint

Airglas, founded in 1955, holds AS9100 certification and supplies equipment for general aviation aircraft, including Cessna, Piper, Maule, GippsAero Airvan, and Husky models. The company also manufactures specialized components for military rotorcraft, including the Boeing AH-64 Apache and Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Airglas currently serves customers in more than 30 countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, Airglas will maintain its manufacturing facility and workforce in Anchorage. McFarlane Aviation Chief Executive Officer Scott Still stated that adding Airglas to the company portfolio strengthens its commitment to the Alaska market and expands its general aviation and military business.

Adding Airglas to our family of brands strengthens our commitment to the Alaska market, expands our general aviation and military business, and advances our mission to keep customers flying. Wherever our customers fly, we want the equipment they depend on within easy reach.

Airglas Owner and President Shane Langland emphasized the importance of local production for specialized backcountry equipment. According to reporting by Aviation International News, Langland noted the acquisition provides a balance between local manufacturing and global sales.

We have spent decades building equipment for pilots who land where there is no runway. Joining McFarlane lets our team keep doing that work here in Alaska, while McFarlane’s distribution network puts our products in reach of pilots and mechanics around the world.

Consolidation in the backcountry market

The Airglas acquisition is the latest step in a broader consolidation of the Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) and backcountry aviation modification sector. McFarlane Aviation, based in Baldwin City, Kansas, has systematically expanded its catalog of Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components through targeted acquisitions of niche aviation brands, including previous purchases of PMA Products and CJ Aviation.

In 2022, the company acquired Airforms, a manufacturer known for engine baffles and Cessna Caravan components. This strategy accelerated in early 2026. On April 21, 2026, McFarlane launched the “McFarlane Alaska” brand, establishing a retail and distribution hub in Palmer, Alaska. According to Alaska Business Magazine, this move consolidated the product lines of recently acquired Alaskan Bushwheels and Airframes Alaska.

Airglas products are now immediately available through the McFarlane Alaska distribution network. Aviation International News reported that the full Airglas catalog will be integrated into the main McFarlane Aviation global distribution system by late 2026.

Corporate restructuring under TransDigm

The rapid expansion of McFarlane’s backcountry portfolio follows a major corporate transition for its parent organization. McFarlane Aviation operates under Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings. On April 7, 2026, aerospace conglomerate TransDigm Group completed a $2.2 billion acquisition of Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings and Jet Parts Engineering.

Backed by TransDigm Group capital, McFarlane now offers more than 35,000 parts. The integration of Airglas adds specialized composite manufacturing capabilities to this portfolio, particularly in the niche market of aircraft skis and heavy-duty nose forks designed for off-airport operations. The acquisition allows McFarlane to scale Airglas production through its established global supply chain while maintaining the specialized engineering knowledge base in Anchorage.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Airglas acquisition as a clear indicator that TransDigm Group intends to aggressively scale McFarlane Aviation’s footprint in the specialized aftermarket parts sector. By rolling legacy, family-owned Alaskan manufacturers like Airglas, Airframes Alaska, and Alaskan Bushwheels into a single corporate structure, McFarlane is effectively cornering the market for ruggedized STOL modifications. Keeping production in Alaska preserves the brand authenticity and specialized workforce required for these components, while routing sales through a centralized, global distribution network maximizes margin and volume.

Global aerospace manufacturer and aftermarket provider Ontic officially opened a 72,000-square-foot Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on October 2, 2026. The site consolidates the company’s United Kingdom aftermarket operations into a single hub designed to support established aircraft fleets.

The opening represents a major milestone in a $30 million global investment strategy aimed at expanding Ontic’s MRO capacity, according to a company press release. The Tewkesbury site brings together 200 specialists, including engineers, technicians, and supply chain personnel, to provide lifetime repair and maintenance support for thousands of licensed product lines.

Expanding global aftermarket infrastructure

The Tewkesbury facility is equipped with dedicated IT systems and specialized infrastructure to handle complex aerospace repairs. Capabilities at the site include pneumatic and hydraulic testing, an ISO7 clean room avionics workshop, non-destructive testing (NDT), a machine shop, and a dark room.

In December 2025, the facility passed critical audits to achieve BSI AS9100 certification. It also secured Part 145 approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ontic expects to receive additional approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in early Q4 2026.

“The opening of our Tewkesbury MRO facility marks a step-change in how we support our customers. By consolidating all our UK aftermarket expertise in one dedicated site, we are investing in the people, capability and infrastructure to consistently deliver a faster, more responsive and more transparent service. Alongside our new Miramar facility in the US, this is a significant milestone in our commitment to keeping established fleets flying safely for decades to come.”

The statement was provided by Brian Sartain, Chief Operating Officer of Ontic. Dave Mayne, MRO Director for Europe, added that the rapid launch of the site was driven by a focus on delivering immediate benefits to customers across product, people, and process decisions.

A broader strategy of acquisitions and capacity growth

The Tewkesbury opening follows a series of strategic expansions by Ontic to capture a larger share of the aerospace aftermarket. As major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) focus resources on new technologies and platforms, Ontic acts as a licensing partner, taking on responsibility for legacy and non-core product lines. By holding proprietary data, tooling, and test equipment, the company performs repairs to original OEM standards, offering obsolescence management and reducing operators’ total cost of ownership.

The $30 million global investment strategy previously funded the opening of a 64,000-square-foot MRO Center of Excellence in Miramar, Florida, in November 2025. To complement its MRO operations, Ontic signed a long-term lease in June 2026 for a 100,000-square-foot original equipment manufacturing facility in nearby Weston, Florida, with operations expected to begin in 2027.

The company has also pursued growth through acquisitions. On October 1, 2026, Ontic acquired Wichita-based Aero-Mach Companies, adding three aviation brands to its portfolio and further expanding its US footprint. Backed by CVC Capital Partners, Ontic now employs more than 1,700 people across 10 global sites in the US, UK, and Singapore.