Dassault Aviation has bought the Geneva and Lugano business aviation sites of international technology group Ruag, continuing its recent expansion in the sector.
The French original equipment manufacturer (OEM) had recently purchased ExecuJet’s global aircraft maintenance business, as well as TAG Aviation’s European aircraft maintenance operations.
“The acquisition of the business aviation activities of Ruag is part of our strategy to develop a worldwide MRO network of excellence and will allow Dassault Aviation to reinforce its footprint in Switzerland,” said Eric Trappier, Dassault chairman and CEO.
The sale includes all 73 members of staff at the Geneva site and the 14 members of staff at the Lugano site, as well as all shares of RUAG Business Aviation AG.
Ruag said the sale is a step forward in its strategy to focus solely on Space and Aerostructures markets, and that the group is working on solutions for its MRO, Ammotec and cyber security divisions.
“I am extremely satisfied that we have completed this transaction with Dassault Aviation, a leader in manufacturing and maintaining aircraft,” said Ruag CEO Urs Breitmeier. “They are an experienced partner of Ruag and can provide a strong foundation for successfully continuing operations in Geneva and Lugano, as well as for the future of the members of our staff at both sites.”
The deal includes the FBO sites at both Geneva-Meyrin and Lugano-Agno Airports, although Ruag will maintain control over its maintenance operation and FBO at Germany’s Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen Airport.