Avionics
Iridium To Acquire Aireon in $367M Deal
Transaction combines space-based ADS-B surveillance system with its host satellite network
Iridium Aireon
“Becoming part of Iridium is a natural next step for our team, our customers, and our roadmap, particularly as our data products expand into new areas like turbulence detection and aviation data analytics.” © Iridium and Aireon

Iridium Communications has entered into an agreement to acquire Aireon, the operator of the only space-based ADS-B aircraft surveillance system in commercial service. Announced today, this transaction will bring the Aireon payload, its host satellite network, and a fast-growing aviation data services business under common ownership.

Iridium, which co-founded Aireon in 2012 and already holds a minority equity stake, is purchasing the remaining 61% of the company from its five air navigation service provider (ANSP) shareholders (Nav Canada, NATS of the UK, AirNav Ireland, Italy’s ENAV, and Denmark’s Naviair) for approximately $366.7 million, with half paid at closing and the balance one year later. Iridium will also assume roughly $155 million in Aireon debt. The transaction is expected to close in early July, pending regulatory review.