Unifi Aviation, the USA-based ground aviation services company present at more than 200 US airports, has acquired Up & Away Aviation. The agreement has been finalised as Up & Away prepares to open a base at London Gatwick Airport on 1 August 2023.
The acquisition supports Unifi’s UK growth strategy, as it intends to grow its UK business to more than £100 million over the next three years. Up & Away also underwent a recent expansion, increasing its number of employees to more than 500.
“Up & Away has earned a strong reputation for exceptional services,” said Gautam Thakkar, CEO, Unifi. “We look forward to working with Stefan and his team as they join the Unifi family and build upon Up & Away’s track record. More than 224 million passengers travelled to and from airports in the UK in 2022, and we are confident that our knowledge and experience from operating in 200-plus airports, including the world’s busiest, will allow Unifi to replicate its success in the UK and provide customers with an exceptional experience.”
Up & Away provides aviation services including cabin cleaning, de-icing, executive jet detailing and technical cleaning. It currently operates in 13 UK airports, including London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol and Belfast International, as well as business aviation airports London Biggin Hill, Farnborough and London Oxford.
“I have been fortunate to build this company from the ground up,” said Stefan Murphy, Founder and Managing Director, Up & Away. “I look forward to this immensely exciting phase of growth and joining Unifi opens new doors.”
Image: Unifi and Up & Away. Left to right: Stefan Murphy, Managing Director, Up & Away Aviation Services with Gautam Thakkar, CEO, Unifi (centre) and Ernie Patterson, Chairman, International Business of parent Argenbright Group
