Supports strategy to improve global Air Traffic Management
Airbus has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire
U.S.-based Metron Aviation, a leading provider of advanced Air
Traffic Management (ATM) products and services for the global
aviation industry. This acquisition strengthens Airbus’
strategy to accelerate and support ATM programs that will
dramatically improve global air transportation capacity, efficiency
and environmental sustainability.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals,
and the acquisition is expected to be completed later this
year. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Earlier
this year, Airbus launched subsidiary Airbus ProSky, dedicated to
supporting the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation
System (NextGen), Europe’s Single European Sky ATM Research
(SESAR) and other global ATM modernisation programs.
Metron Aviation provides advanced research, Air Traffic Flow
Management (ATFM), airspace design, energy and environmental
solutions to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), airlines and
airports. Metron Aviation is a prime contractor on System
Engineering 2020 (SE-2020), the FAA’s strategic program for
implementing NextGen and is performing advanced research and
development work on SESAR. Metron Aviation also provides
commercial ATFM solutions that optimize airspace and airport
capacity for customers around the world including Airservices
Australia, ATNS (South Africa), Delta Air Lines and FedEx.
“The acquisition of Metron Aviation supports the Airbus
strategy to help countries improve their ATM,” said Eric
Stefanello, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus ProSky.
“Together, we can provide a new level of capabilities to
support NextGen and SESAR even better. Like Airbus ProSky, Metron
Aviation is not an ATM equipment manufacturer, so the acquisition
is a perfect fit for our approach of seeking to partner with the
FAA and the world’s ANSPs.”
“Airbus and Metron Aviation are both committed to the
long-term transformation of ATM to support air transportation
growth and the introduction of new concepts that utilize current
system and aircraft capabilities to increase efficiency, lower fuel
burn and cut emissions today”, said Dave Ellison, who will
remain CEO of Metron Aviation after the acquisition. “Airbus
shares our commitment to the success of NextGen and the passion of
our employees –some of the best and brightest in our industry
– for shaping the future of air transportation
worldwide. That’s why this is such a great fit for both
companies.”
Metron Aviation will operate as a US subsidiary of Airbus
Americas, Inc., and its Board of Directors will be chaired by Allan
McArtor, Chairman of Airbus Americas and former Administrator of
the FAA.
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