Babcock International Group today announced the conclusion of its portfolio alignment programme with the completion of the sale of certain of its aerial emergency services businesses to Ancala Partners.  These businesses were sold for a cash consideration of €136.2 million (c. £120 million), before completion adjustments and transaction costs.

In turn, Ancala have rejuvenated the Avincis name for these these businesses (see https://www.avincis.com/), albeit with different brand elements and colours than before.  Readers may recall that Babcock acquired Avincis in 2014 and rebranded it as Babcock Mission Critical Systems.

Avincis now operates in Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Chile and Mozambique.  The move makes it the largest Aerial Emergency Services operator in Europe in one transaction.

Babcock had already disposed of its offshore helicopter business to CHC, although the UK Competition and Mergers Authority forced CHC’s hand and the UK aspects were then sold on again to South African operator Ultimate Aviation.  CHC retains the ex-Babcock offshore operations in both Denmark and Australasia, the latter covers the contract for two Airbus H175s in East Timor.

HeliHub.com understands that Babcock will retain the onshore operations in UK and France, principally providing air ambulance services.