Gogo completes acquisition of Satcom Direct and announces leadership transition

Gogo Inc. has announced the completion of its acquisition of Satcom Direct (SD), creating the only multi-orbit, multi-band, in-flight connectivity provider serving the needs of every segment of the global business aviation and military/government mobility markets.

Gogo paid $375m in cash and issued five million shares of Gogo stock to SD ownership at close and could pay up to an additional $225m tied to realizing performance thresholds over the next four years. The transaction, including fees, was funded with $250m of debt and $150m of cash from the Gogo balance sheet.

The interest rate on Gogo’s incremental debt is SOFR plus 6%, and the Company’s annual interest expense will increase by an estimated $25m to $27m. Gogo’s net leverage ratio at yearend 2024 is estimated to increase to 3.6x, and the Company expects to be back inside its target leverage range of 2.5x-3.5x within one to two years.

The transaction is immediately accretive, with $18m of annual recurring cost savings achieved immediately after closing, and a total expected $25m to $30m in annual run-rate cost synergies to be achieved in the two years after close.

The acquisition is expected to accelerate sales of Gogo's soon-to-launch Galileo Low Earth Satellite (“LEO”) connectivity product, by:

• selling Gogo Galileo to SD’s 1,300 premium global broadband customers,

• selling new Galileo installs through the SD international sales force to the 12,000 medium and smaller business aircraft outside North America that have no broadband solution available today, and

• leveraging SD’s strong presence in the Mil/Gov market where there is strong demand for LEO connectivity in combination with SD’s GEO connectivity.

“Combining with SD cements our position as the only in-flight connectivity provider able to satisfy the performance and cost needs of every segment of the global BA market,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo Executive Chair. “With the launches of our next-generation LEO and 5G technologies, Gogo and SD are uniquely positioned to drive growth and future value creation.”

Gogo's principal shareholders, GTCR, a leading private equity firm, and Thorndale Farm Inc., have expressed strong support for the acquisition and did not sell any shares in the transaction, reflecting their confidence in the long-term value creation potential of the combined company.

Leadership Transitions

In connection with the completion of the combination, Chris Moore, President of SD, has been appointed Gogo’s Chief Executive Officer and will lead the combined company, bringing years of satellite and telecommunications experience and success to his new role. He succeeds Thorne, who transitions to Executive Chair of the Gogo Board of Directors.

Moore said, “Uniting the complementary strengths of Gogo and SD marks an exciting new chapter for us as one company. Together, we are uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled in-flight connectivity solutions across the underpenetrated global BA and military/government mobility markets. I am excited to expand Gogo’s reach and continue its legacy of exceptional service and cutting-edge technology."

In addition, Zachary Cotner, Chief Financial Officer of SD, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the combined company, succeeding Jessi Betjemann.

Mike Begler, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Gogo Production Operations, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of the combined company.

Thorne continued, “I want to thank Jessi for her years of commitment and financial leadership at Gogo and wish her the best in her next chapter. As I transition to the Executive Chair role, I remain deeply committed to Gogo as a leader and an investor and look forward to working closely with Chris, Zach, Mike and our world-class team.”

Reiterates 2024 guidance and product launch timelines

Gogo reiterates the following standalone 2024 financial guidance previously provided on Tuesday, November 5, 2024:

• Total revenue in the range of $400m to $410m,

• Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $120m to $130m, which includes legal expenses from ongoing legal proceedings and approximately $20m of operating expenses for strategic and operational initiatives including Gogo 5G and Gogo Galileo,

• Free Cash Flow in the range of $55m to $65m, which includes $35m in reimbursements tied to the FCC Reimbursement Program, and

• Capital expenditures of approximately $30m, which includes approximately $20m for strategic initiatives.

As previously disclosed upon announcement of the transaction, the combined company is expected to generate pro forma 2024 revenue of approximately $890m, Adjusted EBITDA Margin of approximately 24% and Free Cash Flow of more than $100m. Including the anticipated launch of Gogo Galileo, the combined company is expected to deliver long-term annual revenue growth in the 10% range, Adjusted EBITDA Margins in the mid-20% range and significant Free Cash Flow accretion, which will support strategic investments, de-levering and return of capital to shareholders.

Additionally, Gogo reiterates that its small-form-factor Galileo HDX LEO service remains on track to begin shipping to customers by the end of 2024, and it expects to launch its large form factor Galileo FDX, and its Gogo 5G network, late in the second quarter of 2025.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 12th December 2024 | Issue #776