Business Aviation
Black Forest Ventures Acquires MAC Air Group Expanding Aviation in Maine
Black Forest Ventures acquires MAC Air Group in Maine, extending its aviation operations into the Northeast with key FAA certifications and transatlantic access.

On April 17, 2026, Texas-based asset management firm Black Forest Ventures (BFV) announced its acquisitions of MAC Air Group, a historic, family-operated aviation company based at the Portland International Jetport (KPWM) in Maine. The acquisition brings a long-standing Northeast aviation staple into the portfolio of a major private investment firm.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Black Forest Ventures, as it represents the company’s first aviation expansion outside of its home state of Texas. According to the company’s press release, the move strategically extends BFV’s footprint into the Northeast, providing a vital transatlantic gateway for its charter fleet.
The purchase also adds valuable maintenance and operational certifications to BFV’s growing aviation portfolio. Founded in 2009 by Dr. Dirk Laukien, Black Forest Ventures manages over $1 billion in investments across commercial real estate, hospitality, technology, and aviation, and this latest move signals a continued aggressive expansion in the aviation sector.
The Legacy of MAC Air Group and BFV’s Expansion
A Historic Maine Aviation Staple
MAC Air Group brings nearly 70 years of family-operated history to the Black Forest Ventures portfolio. Established in 1959 as Maine Aviation Corporation, the company traces its roots back even further to 1947, when it was founded by brothers Joe and Tom Caruso. For decades, it has been a cornerstone of the Portland aviation community.
Prior to the acquisition, the business was operated by Al Caruso, son of founder Joe Caruso, alongside his wife Alysan and their son Travis, who served as the director of maintenance. Based in Portland, Maine, MAC Air Group provides a full suite of aviation services. These include an FAA Part 135 charter operation, a Part 145 repair station operating as Maine Aviation Aircraft Maintenance, and Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services operating under the name MAC Jets.
Strategic Geographic Expansion
For Black Forest Ventures, acquiring a Maine-based operation is a highly calculated logistical play. The acquisition establishes a firm Northeast presence for BFV’s Wing Aviation division, which specializes in aircraft management and charter services.
Portland is geographically positioned as a natural gateway for transatlantic flights. By owning the infrastructure in Maine, BFV secures a reliable, in-house stopover between Texas and Europe for its fleet, allowing the company to control fuel, maintenance, and turnaround times for its charter jets making the transatlantic jump.
“Expanding into Maine was a highly strategic decision for us. With the addition of MAC Air Group, we’re extending Wing Aviation’s footprint into the Northeast with a partner that shares our commitment to safety, service, and long-term client relationships. From an operational standpoint, Portland serves as a natural gateway for transatlantic flights, giving our fleet a reliable stop between Texas and Europe,” stated Jeremy Gee, Managing Director of Black Forest Ventures’ Aviation Division.
Aggressive Growth and Industry Consolidation
Building a Vertically Integrated Network
The MAC Air Group purchase grants BFV its second FAA Part 135 charter certificate and its second FAA Part 145 maintenance and repair authorization. Furthermore, BFV’s Galaxy FBO chain now encompasses five locations. Despite the change in ownership, the company noted that there are currently no immediate plans to rebrand the MAC Jets facility in Portland.
This acquisition follows closely on the heels of BFV’s rapid first-quarter expansion. In March 2026, BFV purchased MW Aircraft Services, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider based at the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO) in Texas. The back-to-back acquisitions demonstrate a fast-paced roll-up strategy in the aviation maintenance and charter space.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that the general aviation sector is currently experiencing a heavy influx of private equity investment. Investors are heavily targeting aviation support infrastructure, specifically FBOs, MROs, and charter management companies. Because aircraft storage and maintenance are in exceptionally high demand globally, firms like Black Forest Ventures are driven to consolidate regional players to build robust, vertically integrated aviation networks.
MAC Air Group’s transition from a third-generation family-owned business to a portfolio company of a billion-dollar asset management firm highlights a broader industry trend. Legacy aviation companies are increasingly being acquired by well-capitalized equity firms capable of scaling their operations and absorbing the high costs of modern aviation infrastructure.
“The general aviation business has always had high barriers to entry… That’s why we’ve invested in fixed based operations, such as our Galaxy FBO brand, which is also supporting our other aviation investments, including Wing Aviation and Paradigm Helicopters,” noted Dr. Dirk Laukien, Founder and President of Black Forest Ventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Forest Ventures?
Founded in 2009 by Dr. Dirk Laukien, Black Forest Ventures is a privately held asset management firm based in The Woodlands, Texas. The firm manages over $1 billion in investments across various sectors, including a dedicated aviation division that features Galaxy FBO, Wing Aviation, Paradigm Helicopters, and Feldberg Aero.
What services does MAC Air Group provide?
Based at the Portland International Jetport (KPWM) in Maine, MAC Air Group provides a comprehensive suite of aviation services, including an FAA Part 135 charter operation, a Part 145 repair station (Maine Aviation Aircraft Maintenance), and FBO services (MAC Jets).
Will the MAC Jets facility in Portland be rebranded?
According to Black Forest Ventures, there are currently no immediate plans to rebrand the MAC Jets facility following the acquisition.
Sources
Photo Credit: Black Forest Ventures
Business Aviation
Jet Linx Grounds Fleet for 10th Annual Safety Summit
Jet Linx Aviation halted all operations June 9, 2026, for its 10th safety summit, focusing on undetected engine corrosion and human factors.

Private-Jets aviation operator Jet Linx Aviation voluntarily grounded its entire nationwide fleet on June 9, 2026, halting operations for a full day to conduct its 10th Annual Safety Summit. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company utilized the operational pause to engage its 500 employees in safety evaluations, focusing heavily on human factors and the necessity of exceeding standard manufacturer checklists.
In a press release issued on June 10, 2026, Jet Linx stated it remains the only United States operator under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 or Part 121 regulations to voluntarily halt operations for an entire day annually to focus exclusively on safety. The 2026 summit utilized a recent fatal accident as a primary case study to challenge standard private aviation safety practices and assumptions.
Challenging standard maintenance assumptions
The summit featured a presentation by Barry Ellis, President of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. The discussion centered on a February 2024 accident involving a Hop-A-Jet aircraft in Naples, Florida, which resulted in two crew member fatalities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published its final report on the accident in April 2026, determining the cause to be undetected engine corrosion. The summit highlighted that the engines had been inspected, deemed airworthy, and successfully completed 33 flights in the 25 days preceding the accident.
Ellis addressed the summit attendees regarding the dangers of relying solely on standard procedures when underlying risks remain hidden from flight crews and maintenance personnel.
“When assumptions go unchallenged, they become invisible, and invisible risk is the most dangerous risk of all,” Ellis stated. “The most dangerous assumptions are often the ones we don’t realize we’re making.”
Industry collaboration and operational safety metrics
The event at the Jet Linx Global Safety & Operations Center included presentations from aviation safety auditing firms. Sonnie Bates, CEO of WYVERN, and Patrick Chiles from ARGUS International participated in the discussions, emphasizing the role of independent safety evaluations in Part 135 operations.
Jet Linx Executive Chairman Jamie Walker led the initiative, which marks the company’s tenth consecutive year of executing a fleet-wide grounding for safety training. According to the company’s June 10 announcement, Jet Linx has maintained 27 years of accident-free operations, accumulating 200 million miles flown without an accident.
The safety summit follows recent operational expansions for the charter operator. In May 2026, Jet Linx launched a private jet flight-sharing program called MemberSeat Exchange, designed to increase client flexibility across its network.
AirPro News analysis
The decision by a Part 135 operator to ground an entire revenue-generating fleet for a full day represents a significant financial commitment to safety culture. By utilizing the recently concluded NTSB investigation into the Hop-A-Jet accident as a focal point, Jet Linx is addressing a critical vulnerability in aviation maintenance: the gap between regulatory compliance and actual airworthiness. The NTSB findings regarding undetected engine corrosion, despite recent inspections and 33 successful flights, demonstrate that adherence to manufacturer checklists does not universally guarantee safety. We view this public emphasis on invisible risk and human factors as a necessary evolution in business aviation safety management systems, particularly as operators expand their service offerings and flight volumes.
Sources: Jet Linx Aviation, LLC
Photo Credit: Jet Linx Aviation
Business Aviation
PS Opens Private Terminal at Miami International Airport
PS unveiled a 34,000-sq-ft private terminal at MIA on June 17, 2026, inside the historic Pan Am headquarters, opening June 30.

Miami-Dade County officials and luxury terminal operator PS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2026, to unveil a new 34,000-square-foot private terminal at Miami International Airports (MIA), located within the former Pan American Airways headquarters.
According to a press release from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, the facility marks the fourth global location for PS and the first in Florida. The terminal, which begins travel operations on June 30, 2026, allows commercial passengers to bypass the main airport concourses through private Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs screening, followed by direct-to-aircraft chauffeur service.
Revitalizing an aviation landmark
The new PS MIA terminal occupies a site of significant historical importance to the aviation industry. The former Pan American Airways (Pan Am) headquarters was designated a Miami-Dade County Historic Site in 2014. Groundbreaking for the revitalization project took place on July 10, 2025.
Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS, stated that establishing a terminal within the former home of one of aviation’s most influential airlines is deeply symbolic of the company’s mission to redefine modern travel. She noted that Miami was a natural expansion point given its status as the second-busiest U.S. airport for international travelers and a primary gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean.
The interior design, led by Cliff Fong alongside RJ Heisenbottle Architects and Creative Art Partners, incorporates elements of Miami’s regional style. Fong noted that the building carries a strong identity, prompting an approach that leaned into its heritage alongside the nostalgia of the area. Artist Nina Surel contributed to the space, drawing color palettes directly from the pastels of Miami’s Art Deco District and the unique subtropical light.
Expanding luxury infrastructure at MIA
The opening of PS MIA aligns with broader infrastructure developments at the airport. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava highlighted the terminal as a new chapter for residents and visitors seeking a concierge experience.
“We are always looking for innovative partnerships that elevate the traveling experience for all MIA passengers, and the revitalization of the Pan Am terminal is especially exciting,” Levine Cava said.
The facility features five Private Suites and a central lounge area known as The Salon. Passengers utilizing the service are transported across the tarmac to their commercial flights in BMW vehicles. The launch follows the June 1, 2026, opening of a PS location at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The company also plans to introduce PS Direct later in the year, an integrated service transporting guests directly between their aircraft and local residences or hotels.
The private terminal’s completion coincides with an ongoing $14 billion capital improvement and maintenance upgrade program at Miami International Airport.
AirPro News analysis
The integration of a high-end private terminal into a commercial aircraft airport reflects a growing market segmentation where ultra-premium commercial passengers are willing to pay for fixed-base operator (FBO) style privacy and convenience. By repurposing the historic Pan Am headquarters, MIA and PS have managed to preserve a piece of aviation heritage while generating new revenue streams. We expect to see similar public-private partnerships emerge at other major international hubs as airports seek to monetize existing real estate and cater to high-net-worth travelers without disrupting standard terminal operations.
Sources: Miami International Airport, Miami International Airport (2025), PS
Photo Credit: Miami International Airport
Business Aviation
IADA Certifies 16 New Aircraft Brokers, Total Reaches 233
IADA awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 professionals in 2026, raising the global credentialed total to 233.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has awarded its Certified Aircraft Broker designation to 16 business aviation sales professionals, bringing the global total of credentialed brokers to 233.
Announced in a press release on June 15, 2026, the latest round of certifications spans North America, Europe, and Latin America. The credentialing program is designed to establish standardized ethical practices and transaction expertise within the preowned business aircraft market.
Regional distribution and certification standards
The 2026 certification cohort includes 11 brokers from North America, three from Europe, and two from Latin America. The geographic spread reflects the international nature of preowned aircraft transactions and the association’s push for standardized practices across different regulatory environments.
IADA Executive Director Lou Seno stated that the designation provides clients with assurance regarding their advisor’s industry knowledge and commitment to ongoing professional development.
“Every aircraft transaction represents a significant financial decision, and buyers and sellers deserve to know they are working with professionals who have demonstrated both expertise and integrity,” Seno said.
Market context and accountability
The Certification process requires brokers to demonstrate their proficiency in aircraft transactions and adhere to rigorous industry standards. According to the association, this process works in tandem with its Accredited Dealer program to establish a framework for transparency in business aviation sales. Seno noted that the combination of these programs creates a unique level of accountability designed to ensure ethical conduct.
The addition of new certified brokers follows IADA’s October 6, 2025, market forecast, which projected a stabilized preowned business aircraft market through September 2026. The forecast anticipated normalized inventory levels and rationalized pricing, conditions where standardized broker practices often play a critical role in facilitating orderly transactions.
AirPro News analysis
As the preowned business aircraft market transitions from the high-volatility environment seen earlier in the decade to a more normalized state, the role of the broker becomes increasingly focused on technical expertise rather than simply securing scarce inventory. We view IADA’s continued expansion of its certified broker pool as a necessary maturation of the business aviation sales sector. By formalizing the qualifications required to broker high-value aviation assets, the industry is aligning itself more closely with the compliance expectations of corporate flight departments and institutional buyers.
Photo Credit: IADA
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