Citadel Aviation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MACH 1 Aviation Group, an FAA Part 145 certificated repair station (MAGR152E) based in Savannah, Georgia, specialising in aircraft-on-ground (AOG) response and Gulfstream airframe, avionics and cabin systems support. The transaction is expected to close by the end of September 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition gives Lake Charles, Louisiana-based Citadel an operating presence on the US East Coast and adds a dedicated AOG discipline to its service portfolio. Founded in 2020 by former Gulfstream master technicians Richard Bennett, Derek Johnston and Ben Venuti, Mach 1 operates from its Savannah base and supports aircraft worldwide. The team is credentialed across the Gulfstream line and brings more than 100 years of combined technical experience in avionics, satcom and cabin communication systems, engine and airframe systems as well as entry-into-service programmes.

Mach 1 is an approved services provider to the majority of Part 135 operators in its market, alongside a substantial base of Part 91 owners. Those long-standing relationships have made the company a consistent choice for owners seeking both maintenance support and assistance with aircraft transactions.

Greg Colgan, CEO of Citadel Aviation, says: “Mach 1 has built a reputation for answering the phone and being wheels-up within hours, anywhere in the world.” He adds: “We are proud to welcome the Mach 1 team into the Citadel family and we intend to significantly invest and expand their capabilities and capacity.”

Following the close, Mach 1 will continue to operate under its FAA Part 145 certificate and retain its existing customer commitments, with its Savannah location becoming an East Coast service and AOG coordination point for Citadel. Mach 1 customers will be able to draw on Citadel’s full nose-to-tail capability, including maintenance, repair and overhaul, cabin interior refurbishment, engineering, connectivity-technology upgrades and support for narrow- and wide-body VIP aircraft. Citadel customers will in turn gain a proven rapid-response resource for their Gulfstream aircraft.

The deal follows a period of sustained expansion for Citadel. The company rebranded from Citadel Completions in January 2026 to reflect its evolution into a full-service provider, secured 13 VIP aircraft projects in January alone and established operations at Dallas Love Field in Texas in March 2026. It has completed 48 aircraft projects to date. Mach 1 will be Citadel’s third major capability expansion in under a year.