US-based UH-1H Huey and UH-60 Black Hawk modernisation specialist Black Widow Helicopters is to establish IKAR Aviation in London with IKAR Holdings. The new company will sell helicopters under the new brand IKAR Helicopters primarily to private and corporate customers outside the US, with a focus on Europe and the GCC region.

Black Widow Helicopters has over 25 years of experience in various aspects of aviation operations, business and finance, while IKAR Holdings is a London-based ecosystem of entrepreneurs, innovators and investors from around the world that spans a wide variety of industries and sectors, majority owned by entrepreneurial partners.

“We have been working for months on the establishment of IKAR Aviation, as we believe it is natural fit to the overall IKAR group. The aviation market, especially covering the helicopter sector, has huge potential as the requirements of HNWI or corporate groups to have their own helicopter in place is growing significantly. We made intensive due diligence concerning the best companies operating in that market and are extremely satisfied to have Black Widow Helicopters as our new partner. I want to thank its president Barry Oberholzer Jr for his trust in our group, and I look forward to establishing a successful partnership,” says IKAR Holdings, London vice president Sertan Aycicek.

Oberholzer adds: “As a fast growing company with a proven track record in the US, we were looking to expand our business especially into Europe and the Middle East. With IKAR we have found a partner that is active across many industries and, much more importantly, has access to a global network of potential customers. We are excited to join IKAR Aviation as an equity partner and will secure, within the partnership, all aspects of the technical performance. I want to thank the management team of IKAR for the professional negotiations during our mutual due diligence process.”

“We see endless business opportunities for IKAR Aviation, given our outreach capabilities to potential customers. IKAR Helicopters is not only an outstanding product on its own but features sleek, custom designs that use only premium vegan leather for the interior of all helicopters," says IKAR Holdings chief business development officer Eralp Ungeldi. "This is of great importance for us as a group since we give great value on any impact driven projects. I am delighted that our partner shares the same values, and I am looking forward to working with the entire IKAR Aviation team.”