Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

European mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) activity is expected to increase, according to Michael Richter, managing director and head of Lazard’s Aerospace and Defense Investment Banking Group. The M&amp;A firm’s latest transaction was the sale of Gardner Aerospace (Hall 2B Stand E140) to China’s Shaanxi Ligeance Mineral Resources. Gardner manufactures finished machined and fabricated parts, using both hard and soft metals.


“M&amp;A is exceptionally important to this industry,” he said. “There were $70 billion in transactions in 2016, and these are very important to the speed of growth, as compared to more organically growing companies. They gain access to the market in a quicker way than building [up their companies] and it turbocharges growth.”


This year has not started out with a bang, in M&amp;A terms, but could improve rapidly. “It’s too early to say,” Richter said. “There have been close to $20 billion of deals announced year-to-date. On the surface it appears a bit lower than last year, but it’s premature to make a prediction. All you need is a couple of deals. For example, Rockwell Collins buying B/E Aerospace [for $8.3-billion]; a couple of large deals can tilt the scales.” Aerospace M&amp;A interest remains strong, he added, after record-breaking years in 2015 ($90 billion) and 2016 ($70 billion). “You’re now in an unusual situation where commercial and defense sectors are hitting at the same time. They’re usually countercyclical. That [defense] market is really coming back to life."


Here at the Paris Air Show, Richter is meeting aerospace and defense executives to explore opportunities. “It’s an efficient way to meet with 30 to 40 companies,” he said, “and an opportunity for buyers and sellers to get together and explore tie-ups, deals and investments. From a dealmaker’s perspective it’s an ideal chance to plant seedlings. I wouldn’t say deals are consummated, but a lot of seeds are placed, which then can be cultivated in the year following an airshow.”

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Lazard Exec Sees Growing M&A Opportunities

After record-breaking years in 2015 and 2016, the jury is still out on the amount of aerospace M&A that will take place in 2017.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

North America up 6.6% year over year, while Europe climbs 4.9%

Global Bizav Activity Climbs 6.5% YOY in March

Neelam Mathews

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

New options for operating leases are starting to become more common

India’s Aircraft Leasing Sector Gets More User-friendly

Charles Alcock

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Charter contracts can be unclear over who gets paid what and how

Indemnity Insurer Calls for Clearer Charter Contracts

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Replacement bill includes a rise in fuel taxes of 7 cents per gallon

Governor Signs Washington State Luxury Tax Repeal

Charlotte Bailey

UK company says it potentially has access to up to $850 million in additional funds

Vertical Raises Further $50 million For eVTOL Aircraft

Curt Epstein

The industry leader spoke at NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference this week

Ricci Views Private Equity Capital as Industry Problem

Last year’s law would have imposed a 10% fee on transactions

Washington State Bill To Repeal Aircraft Luxury Tax

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance