Newly-formed investment vehicle Alyssum Group
has acquired leading aviation services company RocketRoute as part of its
long-term strategy to transform the entire private aviation industry.
Specifically, RocketRoute’s best-in-class
technology platforms FlightPlan and MarketPlace - delivering innovative
flight-planning, fuel and concierge services - will be integrated into a
connected digital marketplace that Alyssum Group, owner of global jet charter
marketplace Victor, will create to seamlessly and transparently service all
within private aviation. This includes customers, charter brokers, operators and
suppliers.
Victor’s own customers and operator clients
immediately stand to benefit. By harnessing RocketRoute’s dynamic industry data
and services, Victor - with whom RocketRoute announced a strategic partnership
last November - will be empowered to provide an even higher level of service in
the jet charter space, boosting organic growth and innovation. Victor’s travel
platform will also significantly improve the efficiency of business operations
for its suppliers - advancement on an unprecedented scale within the sector.
Both RocketRoute and Victor have ongoing
relationships with Air BP and have previously benefitted from strategic
investments made by BP’s venturing business BP Ventures. The investments have
supported Air BP’s goal to promote efficiency and growth in general and business
aviation.
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RocketRoute MarketPlace |
RocketRoute launched MarketPlace with Air BP
last year, an enhanced app taking the former’s service offering beyond fuel and
flight-planning. MarketPlace lets pilots and dispatchers quickly source and
connect directly with thousands of ground handlers, efficiently.
The acquisition of RocketRoute by Alyssum
Group now provides the opportunity to expand and evolve MarketPlace. The
platform, complementing the ongoing development of FlightPlan, will be opened up
to attract a wider range of service providers beyond existing key supplier Air
BP, and will actively seek other complementary FBOs and aviation providers
around the world, ensuring flights take-off more third-party partnerships and
arrangements to ensure a full service offering at any location.
Bringing together offerings from flight sales
through to flight-planning and dispatch creates a smart and comprehensive
solution especially appealing to larger operators. These consolidating
developments, in addition to RocketRoute’s productive, data-driven collaboration
with Victor, will work towards Alyssum Group’s overarching strategic objectives.
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RocketRoute FlightPlan |
Clive Jackson,
Alyssum Group, Founder & CEO, said: “Backed by key strategic investors, and
having already now completed the first stage of our acquisitive strategy,
Alyssum Group is dictating a new phase of consolidation in our industry. This
will help raise business standards across the sector, encourage innovation and
boost growth; all of which stands to benefit our various customers, partners and
providers. I warmly welcome RocketRoute to the fold. They share our vision to
transform the way our sector operates. I look forward to working with them.”
“Joining Alyssum Group is a fantastic step
forward, providing the perfect platform for RocketRoute to achieve its next
phase of growth," said Uwe Nitsche,
RocketRoute, CEO. "It will allow us to extend our impressive digital platform
and more efficiently integrate RocketRoute services across the value chain,
leading over time to an unparalleled services suite to the general and business
aviation industry. The RocketRoute team is hugely excited about this opportunity
and what it means for our customers, and I would like to thank them all for
their efforts in helping us to achieve this milestone.”
Kurt Lyall,
RocketRoute, Co-Founder, said: “Through MarketPlace we are now open for business
to work with more service providers and aviation software companies. We are on a
new, faster heading towards our goal of a digitally-driven industry – delivering
greater levels of business but with reduced operating costs for operators and
service providers alike.”
“Digital technologies are playing a vital role
in transforming the business aviation sector. Bringing RocketRoute together with
Victor, Alyssum Group can now help accelerate the automation of the entire value
chain from consumer to charter jet operator to fuel and service suppliers,
enabling improved service and value,” said
Jon Platt,
Air BP, CEO.
News of the acquisition follows Victor’s
announcement last week of an additional $18m fundraise, led by BBA Aviation, BP
Ventures and existing shareholders. This has enabled the creation of the
London-headquartered Alyssum Group, with Victor Founder & CEO Clive Jackson
appointed Group CEO.
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