Thales enters talks to acquire Egis' air traffic management IT solutions business

Thales announced (12-Feb-2013) it is in exclusive talks with Egis to acquire its air traffic management IT solutions business. The turnkey ATM solutions include the 'MAESTRO' arrival / departure flight sequencing systems (AMAN / DMAN arrival / departure management), 'ATALIS' aeronautical information systems (AIM), datalink servers and 'SCANSIM 'simulators (air traffic control and control tower simulation). The Egis Avia teams impacted by this potential acquisition are based at the company's Toulouse and Issy-les-Moulineaux facilities. Thales stated the acquisition would enable it to round out its range of solutions and further strengthen its expertise in air traffic management, particularly the synchronisation and optimisation of traffic during the approach, arrival and departure phases. Thales confirmed they will be continuing to support and maintain all of Egis Avia's clients in the ATM IT solutions business in the long term. They have also undertaken to continue the work Egis Avia has done in developing and maintaining technical and commercial relationships with clients and partners. The sale will enable Egis Avia to concentrate on its core consultancy and engineering activities within the ATM and air operations market. This is a market segment that is experiencing significant growth for Egis Avia, as evidenced by the recent acquisition of Helios in the UK. Thales and Egis Avia have been working together for a number of years on ATM programmes will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. [more - original PR]