Bristow to Acquire Berry Aviation in $105M Transaction

Helicopter operator diversifies fleet with fixed-wing additions as it seeks more government customers.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Bristow operates search and rescue services for coast guards around the world using its fleet of helicopters. [Credit: Bristow Group]

Key Takeaways:

Bristow Group is acquiring Texas-based Berry Aviation for $105 million in an all-cash transaction, aiming to expand its government services business and fixed-wing aircraft fleet.
The acquisition significantly diversifies Bristow's revenue streams, with government services projected to rise to 35% of 2025 revenues, aligning with trends in defense spending and outsourced aviation services.
Berry Aviation specializes in government services, offering special mission capabilities, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), maintenance, and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) development for various U.S. military branches.
This strategic move also provides Bristow with a foundation to introduce electric aircraft for cargo and regional transport, leveraging Berry's on-demand cargo logistics and UAS capabilities for future defense aviation platforms.

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Bristow Group—the world’s largest operator of Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo AW189 and AW139 helicopters—is acquiring a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft as it seeks to expand its government services business.

Bristow on Tuesday announced a definitive agreement to acquire Texas-based Berry Aviation from parent Acorn Capital Management for $105 million in an all-cash transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.