Advanced Inflight Alliance

former investments

Business model

Advanced Inflight Alliance (AIA) is the market-leading provider of in-flight entertainment for passenger aircraft. With more than 400 employees, the international company supplies all major airlines worldwide, enabling them to offer their passengers the best entertainment with movies, music, games and other software applications. AIA’s range of services includes the licensing of music and films, digital archiving and management, individualized processing and encryption, and the development of games and other applications.

Investment Consideration

AUCTUS identified the listed AIA as a “hidden champion” with a low market value at the time, which was primarily due to the limited market liquidity of the German Prime Standard. With a market share of over 50%, Advanced Inflight Alliance AG had already achieved global market leadership in an attractive and growing market environment. Furthermore, a steady expansion of air traffic and the ongoing modernization of aircraft fleets meant that demand for high-quality in-flight entertainment was expected to continue to grow in the future. In addition to expansion through complementary acquisitions, there was also considerable growth potential in the previously neglected integration of already acquired companies.

Value enhancement

Supported by the appointment of an operational COO, a company-wide optimization program ensured a substantial increase in profitability. In addition, the previously uncoordinated and decentralized sales activities were integrated into a central sales organization. In addition, by acquiring the Asian market leader and the leading independent film marketer, AUCTUS succeeded both in making up for the previously missing representation in the rapidly growing Asian market and in expanding its service portfolio to include content distribution. The necessary financing was also structured and negotiated by AUCTUS.

Exit

In August 2011, AUCTUS succeeded in selling its shares in AIA to a consortium of investors and the management team.

 

Sector Business Services
Field Entertainment
Transaction type Public to Private, Buy & Build
Country Germany, UK, USA, Canada, Hongkong
Account Representative
Dr. Ingo KrockeGründer & Geschäftsführer

T +49 (89) 159 0700 0

M krocke@auctus.com