Frontier Services acquires 49% of Phoenix Aviation

Frontier Services Group (FSG) Limited, jointly with Phoenix Aviation Limited have announced the completion of a USD14 million (KSh.1.2 billion) deal that sees FSG acquire 49 per cent of the local carrier. The announcement was formally made on March 31, 2014 and received a nod of approval from both the Board and shareholders of Frontier Services Group and Phoenix Aviation.

Frontier Services CEO, Mr. Gregg Smith, commented: “In addition to having world class team of pilots technicians Phoenix is a large operation capable of serving a diverse customer base. Phoenix’s leadership team shares Frontier Services’ vision to build a much more robust business centred on the Kenyan aviation sector – a business with the capability to invest and grow with the increasing number of multinational businesses moving into East Africa. We are confident that this partnership will enable us jointly strategically grow a pan-African offering of aviation to serve both corporate and humanitarian missions.”

Frontier Services’ investment will expand Phoenix’s medical evacuation capacity, leveraging last-mile aviation and construction capability to penetrate closer to frontier environments where people are working and where humanitarian services are required. Last-mile capability will shorten response time by enabling aircraft and doctors be positioned closer to evacuation sites.

Mr. Steve Parkinson, CEO of Phoenix Aviation, said, “Phoenix Aviation is one of the oldest aviation companies in Kenya with a fully developed Safety and Quality system that exceeds European standards, in some cases. The company has been audited and certified to meet the highest standards demanded the United Nations and Oil and Gas producers. Phoenix Aviation in conjunction with AMREF flying Doctors has become an intergalactic part of the emergency services and rescues over a 1000 patients a year throughout the region. Our partnership with Frontier Services will enable us expand our reach and coverage reaching many more people with much-needed medical evacuation services.”