The sale of Omni Air International has now been finalised, with ATSG transferring ownership of the charter carrier in a deal that reconnects the airline with its origins. Both Air Cargo News and Aviation Week: air transport have confirmed the transaction.
Who Has Bought Omni Air International
Air Cargo News reports that the acquiring party is OAI Holdings, characterising it as an aviation-focused private firm. According to Aviation Week: air transport, OAI Holdings is the investment vehicle of Omni Air founder Rob Coretz, which means the airline has in effect returned to the ownership of the person who first established it.
Air Cargo News reports that ATSG first announced its intention to sell Omni in September, having spent time exploring strategic options for the carrier.
What Omni Air Does
Air Cargo News reports that Omni Air International provides passenger ACMI and charter services. Those operations will continue under the new ownership structure, with the carrier serving its existing customers under the OAI Holdings banner.
Readers wanting to explore charter and ACMI carriers further can use our Airline Search tool to look up operators by name and type.
A Sharper Focus for ATSG
ATSG president and chief executive Greg Mays commented: "We are pleased to have completed this transaction after having explored strategic options for Omni for some time. We are confident Omni has a bright future ahead as it continues to serve its customers under OAI."
Mays also set out what the sale means for the remaining ATSG business. "ATSG is now sharpening its strategic focus on the significant opportunities in air cargo and related aviation services," he said, according to Air Cargo News.
New Leadership at the Top
Aviation Week: air transport reports that Jude Bricker takes over as president and chief executive of Omni Air International under the new ownership. Bricker's appointment signals an intent to put fresh leadership in place as the airline begins its next chapter outside the ATSG group.
The Bottom Line
The sale tidies up ATSG's portfolio and lets the group concentrate on cargo, while Omni Air International moves into what amounts to a second era under founder-linked ownership. Whether Coretz's return and Bricker's leadership can strengthen the carrier's position in the competitive ACMI and charter market is a question the coming months will begin to answer.
This article draws on reporting by Air Cargo News and Aviation Week: air transport.
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