Johannesburg-based National Airways Corporation (NAC) and Awesome Aviation Group have reached an agreement to merge their flight ops and aircraft leasing businesses.

NAC has acquired a 50 per cent equity stake in Awesome Flight Services, Awesome Aviation Group's existing flight operations business based in South Africa. Awesome Flight Services has in turn acquired international contracts and maintenance business divisions from NAC.

Assets and staff of the divisions will be integrated into the existing Awesome Flight Services infrastructure. The combined businesses will be rebranded as FlyAwesome and the company will trade under this brand globally.

Types of aircraft involved in the integration include Beechcraft 1900s, Embraer 120s and 145s, plus some Learjets and Falcons.

Says NAC CEO Martin Banner: "The quality of our customer base, our aircraft and our expanded suite of services combined with our terrific pool of skilled people and resources will bring enormous benefits to the market."