MRO & Manufacturing
H.I.G. Capital Acquires International Aerospace Coatings to Expand Aviation Services
H.I.G. Capital acquires International Aerospace Coatings to address global aircraft painting capacity shortfalls and expand infrastructure in US and Europe.

H.I.G. Capital Acquires International Aerospace Coatings to Expand Global Aviation Services
On May 15, 2026, global alternative investment firm H.I.G. Capital announced the successful acquisition of International Aerospace Coatings (IAC), a premier provider of aircraft painting, engineering, and advanced asset management solutions. The transaction includes IAC’s specialized engineering division, Eirtech Aviation Services (EAS).
This acquisitions marks a significant ownership transition for the aviation services company, which was previously acquired by Tiger Infrastructure Partners in December 2022. According to the official press release, the move is designed to scale IAC’s operations and address a growing global shortfall in dedicated aircraft painting capacity.
By leveraging H.I.G. Capital’s extensive financial resources, IAC intends to expand its geographic footprint, invest heavily in additional hangar infrastructure, and pursue selective add-on acquisitions to meet the escalating demands of the aviation industry.
Strategic Expansion and Industry Demand
Addressing the Capacity Shortfall
The commercial aviation and aerospace sectors are currently navigating a notable bottleneck in global paint and finishing capacity. As airlines, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and aircraft lessors increasingly prioritize rapid turnaround times and consistent quality, dedicated service providers are seeing unprecedented demand. H.I.G. Capital, which manages $75 billion in capital as of May 2026, plans to utilize its institutional backing to help IAC capture a larger share of this expanding market.
In the company’s press release, H.I.G. Capital leadership emphasized the strategic value of IAC’s established market position and operational reliability.
“IAC has built an outstanding reputation for quality, reliability, and customer service. We are pleased to partner with IAC and believe the Company is well positioned to continue gaining share…”
— Doug Berman, Co-President at H.I.G. Capital
Scaling Operations
To meet the industry’s rigorous demands, H.I.G. Capital’s investment strategy focuses on tangible infrastructure growth. The firm has outlined clear intentions to fund the construction of new facilities and explore strategic acquisitions that complement IAC’s existing service portfolio. This approach aims to alleviate the supply chain pressures currently facing major commercial airlines and VIP aircraft fleets.
IAC’s Growth and Recent Milestones
Building a Global Footprint
Dual-headquartered in Irvine, California, and Shannon, Ireland, IAC currently paints over 1,000 aircraft annually. The company operates a comprehensive global portfolio of purpose-built hangars located at major airports across the United States and Europe. IAC was originally established in 2014 following the merger of three leading aviation service providers: Leading Edge Aviation Services, Associated Painters, and Eirtech Aviation.
In recent years, IAC has actively expanded its international presence. According to industry reports, the company opened a new facility in Teruel, Spain, in 2024 under a 40-year concession. Furthermore, IAC recently expanded its network capacity by securing a long-term lease for wide-body and narrow-body hangars at Safi Aviation Park in Malta.
A Strong Financial Foundation
Prior to the H.I.G. Capital acquisition, IAC achieved a major financial milestone in June 2025 by completing a highly successful $240 million strategic financing round. This capital raise included the company’s inaugural issuance of 4(a)2 private placement notes with an investment-grade rating, a first-of-its-kind achievement in the aviation painting industry. The funds were utilized to refinance existing credit facilities and initiate the construction of new purpose-built hangars.
IAC leadership expressed optimism about the new partnership and the operational growth it will unlock.
“We are thrilled to welcome H.I.G. as a partner, as we scale IAC to meet growing demand… With H.I.G.’s experience and resources, we plan to expand our geographic footprint [and] invest in additional hangar capacity.”
— Martin O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of IAC
Transaction Details
While the specific financial terms of the May 2026 acquisition were not publicly disclosed in the announcement, the advisory teams facilitating the deal were confirmed. RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Ropes & Gray LLP served as the financial and legal advisors, respectively, for H.I.G. Capital. On the other side of the transaction, IAC was advised by Jefferies, LLC and the legal firm Latham & Watkins LLP.
AirPro News analysis
The acquisition of IAC by a $75 billion heavyweight like H.I.G. Capital underscores a broader, accelerating trend of private equity consolidation within the aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector. As supply chain constraints and capacity shortages continue to pressure OEMs and commercial operators, specialized service providers with established, hard-to-replicate infrastructure, such as IAC’s purpose-built hangars, have become highly lucrative assets.
The rapid succession of IAC’s ownership, from Vance Street Capital to Tiger Infrastructure Partners in 2022, and now to H.I.G. Capital in 2026, highlights the intense institutional interest in aviation aftermarket services. With airlines desperate to maintain fleet aesthetics and protective coatings without suffering prolonged downtime, private equity firms clearly view aviation painting and asset management as a resilient, high-yield investment vertical.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What services does International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) provide?
IAC is a global aviation services provider specializing in exterior and interior aircraft painting, aircraft refurbishment, and graphics. Its engineering division, Eirtech Aviation Services (EAS), provides specialized engineering and advanced asset management solutions.
Who acquired IAC?
An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a multinational alternative investment firm with $75 billion of capital under management, officially acquired IAC on May 15, 2026.
Why is this acquisition significant for the aviation industry?
The aviation industry is currently facing a global shortfall in dedicated aircraft painting capacity. H.I.G. Capital’s acquisition will provide IAC with the financial resources to build new hangars and expand its geographic footprint, helping to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks for airlines and OEMs.
Sources
Photo Credit: H.I.G. Capital
MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Nacelles Delivers 5000th A320neo Nacelle
Safran Nacelles hits 5,000 A320neo nacelles with 100% on-time delivery and plans to scale output to 1,000 units per year.

Safran Nacelles has delivered its 5,000th nacelle for the Airbus A320neo program, maintaining a 100 percent on-time delivery rate as the manufacturer prepares to scale production to 1,000 units annually.
The milestone was celebrated on June 30, 2026, at Safran’s Colomiers facility near the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France. According to a company press release, the achievement highlights the rapid production ramp-up required to support Airbus amid ongoing global Supply-Chain pressures.
Scaling production and supply chain performance
Safran Nacelles, working in conjunction with Middle River Aerostructure Systems, has insulated its A320neo nacelle output from broader industry bottlenecks. The company reported a flawless on-time Delivery record for the program to date, a metric it intends to protect as output increases.
What we are experiencing with the A320neo is unprecedented. This 5,000th Nacelle marks an important milestone and demonstrates the exceptional momentum of the programme. As demand continues to grow, we are preparing to produce up to 1,000 nacelles per year to support Airbus and Airlines around the world.
The statement from Safran Nacelles CEO Vincent Caro underscores the pressure on Tier 1 suppliers to match the pace of aircraft original equipment OEMs as they work through historic backlogs.
Airbus delivery targets and backlog pressure
The push for 1,000 nacelles per year aligns directly with Airbus’s aggressive production schedules. The European airframer is targeting 870 Commercial-Aircraft deliveries in 2026. Through the end of May 2026, Airbus had handed over 262 aircraft to 68 customers, including 81 deliveries in May alone.
The Airbus A320 family recently surpassed 20,000 total orders, cementing its status as a primary revenue driver for both Airbus and its supply chain partners. Fulfilling this backlog requires synchronized output across all major component providers, making nacelle availability a critical factor in final assembly.
AirPro News analysis
We view Safran’s 100 percent on-time delivery rate as a notable outlier in an aerospace supply chain otherwise defined by chronic delays and material shortages. Achieving a production rate of 1,000 nacelles annually will test the resilience of Safran’s sub-tier suppliers. If the company can maintain its delivery metrics at that volume, it will remove a critical potential chokepoint for Airbus as the airframer chases its 870-aircraft target for 2026.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
MRO & Manufacturing
FTG Opens First India Facility in Hyderabad Aerospace Park
Firan Technology Group opened its Hyderabad facility on June 29, 2026, producing avionics and cockpit electronics for global OEMs.

Firan Technology Group Corporation (FTG) officially opened its first Indian manufacturing facility on June 29, 2026, establishing a new production hub for cockpit and avionics components within the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park in Hyderabad.
Announced via a company press release, the FTG Aerospace Hyderabad facility culminates a three-year strategic effort to expand the Canadian manufacturer’s global footprint. The new site provides low-cost capacity to support Western demand for commercial and defense aerospace products while mitigating risks associated with restrictive trade policies in other global markets.
Strategic expansion and local integration
The customized Built-to-Suit unit was developed by GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Limited (GHASL). It is situated within a 277-acre aerospace and industrial park, integrating FTG into an established airport-led ecosystem. The facility will focus on designing and manufacturing high-reliability printed circuit boards (PCBs), illuminated cockpit products, electronic assemblies, and cockpit interface electronics for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
In the press release, FTG President and CEO Brad Bourne described the opening as a strategic milestone for the company.
“GMR’s world-class Built-to-Suit infrastructure and integrated, airport-led ecosystem give us an ideal platform to deliver the high-reliability avionics and cockpit interface electronics our global OEM customers depend on,” Bourne stated.
Bourne also noted that significant work remains to fully operationalize the site. The company is currently focused on adding and training staff, securing necessary industry certifications, obtaining customer approvals, and ramping up production.
Aligning with domestic manufacturing initiatives
The Hyderabad operation brings FTG’s manufacturing presence to four countries, joining existing facilities in Canada, the United States, and China. The expansion aligns directly with the Indian government’s “Make in India” policy, positioning the company to serve both domestic defense requirements and international export markets.
Aman Kapoor, CEO of GMR Airport Land Development, stated that the launch marks a significant step in building a globally competitive aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the region. Kapoor emphasized that FTG’s presence will strengthen domestic supply chains and advance indigenization efforts, further cementing Hyderabad as a primary hub for aerospace and industrial innovation.
AirPro News analysis
We view FTG’s expansion into India as a calculated hedge against ongoing geopolitical and trade friction. By establishing a secondary low-cost manufacturing base outside of China, FTG provides its Western aerospace and defense customers with a more resilient supply chain. The choice of Hyderabad specifically leverages an existing aerospace cluster, which should help accelerate the complex certification and approval processes required for aviation electronics production.
Sources: Firan Technology Group Corporation
Photo Credit: The Hindu
MRO & Manufacturing
Embraer Acquires Full Ownership of EZ Air Interior
Embraer buys remaining 50% of EZ Air from Safran Cabin to secure E-Jet cabin supply ahead of a major production ramp-up.

Embraer has taken full ownership of its interior components supplier, EZ Air Interior Limited, acquiring the remaining 50 percent stake from Safran Cabin on July 1, 2026, to secure its supply chain amid a major production ramp-up.
The transaction, announced in a company press release, gives the Brazilian aerospace manufacturers complete control over the production of critical cabin elements for its E-Jets family. The agreement also includes the integration of specific Safran Cabin operations located in JacareÃ, Brazil, into Embraer’s manufacturing footprint.
Consolidating the cabin supply chain
Established in 2012 in Chihuahua, Mexico, EZ Air was originally formed as a joint venture between Embraer and C&D, a company that was later absorbed into Safran Cabin. The Chihuahua facility specializes in manufacturing essential interior components, including luggage bins, galleys, lavatories, and floor panels for commercial-aircraft.
Embraer President and Chief Executive Officer Francisco Gomes Neto stated the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy to expand operations in both the short and long term, while continuously evaluating opportunities to create value for stakeholders.
“I would like to thank Safran Cabin for this successful long-term partnership and warmly welcome the new colleagues joining Embraer. Together, we will continue to deliver excellence driven by safety, quality, efficiency and sustainability,” Gomes Neto said.
Production targets and backlog pressures
Embraer is actively working to stabilize its supply-chain to meet a record firm order backlog, which reached $32.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The manufacturer is targeting an annual production rate of approximately 100 E-Jet aircraft by 2027 or 2028.
Securing full ownership of EZ Air mitigates execution risks as Embraer increases the output of its E175 and E2 family aircraft. By bringing the production of critical interior components entirely in-house, the company aims to insulate its final assembly lines from external supplier delays.
AirPro News analysis
We view this acquisition as a defensive vertical integration move typical of the current aerospace manufacturing environment. With global supply chains remaining fragile, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly bringing critical component production in-house to prevent bottlenecks. By taking full control of EZ Air, Embraer eliminates a potential single point of failure in its E-Jet assembly line, ensuring that cabin interior shortages do not derail its ambitious delivery targets over the next two years.
Sources: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer
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