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A&O Shearman advises on the acquisition of SAF Aerogroup, a leader of mission-critical aviation services

A&O Shearman advises on the acquisition of SAF Aerogroup, a leader of mission-critical aviation services
Published Date
Apr 7 2025
A&O Shearman has advised a consortium led by Vesper Next Generation Infrastructure Fund I SCSp ("Vesper") and Infracapital on a put option agreement for the acquisition of SAF Aerogroup ("SAF"), a leading European provider of mission-critical aviation services, from the funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and Bpifrance.

The completion of the acquisition remains subject to the consultation of the relevant employee representative bodies of SAF and the approval from the customary regulatory bodies.

The consortium will support SAF’s growth ambitions in expanding its core-emergency service offering in France as well as in new markets. Founded in 1979, SAF has a long track record in providing highly specialized mission-critical aviation services for emergency medical transport, search and rescue operations, and firefighting.

Alexandre Ancel, partner at A&O Shearman, commented: "We are proud to have supported Vesper and Infracapital on this transaction, which will bolster the growth of a global leader in mission-critical aviation services. The success of this operation is a testament to the unwavering dedication and deep expertise of our multidisciplinary team in the infrastructure and transport sectors."

The A&O Shearman team was led by partner Alexandre Ancel, with senior associate Julie Parent and associates Astrid Achard and Jérôme Païs on corporate aspects.

The team also included partner Romaric Lazerges, senior associate Pauline Choplin, and associates Lara Fontaine and Adélie Sallou on public law and project contracts; partner Driss Bererhi and associate Wendy Au on financing aspects; counsel Luc Lamblin on foreign direct investments aspects; partner Charles del Valle on tax aspects; partner Florence Ninane, counsel Roxane Hicheri, and associate Victoire Sipp on antitrust aspects; partner Laurie-Anne Ancenys and associate Juliette Mazilier on IT/data aspects; partner Olivier Picquerey and associate Joanna Strzelewicz on employment law aspects; partner Xavier Jancène and associate Valentine Henry on real estate law aspects; partner Erwan Poisson, counsel Paul Fortin, senior associate Rebecca Harris, and associate Guillaume Auzanneau on litigation aspects; as well as consultants Marianne Delassaussé and Victor Willaert on intellectual property aspects.

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