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Prime Flight acquires GAT to expand ground handling services By Rebecca Jeffrey | 6 February 2026

10-02-2026

Prime Flight Aviation Services has acquired US firm GAT Airline Ground Support to expand its ground handling services capacity.

Headquartered in Georgia, GAT has approximately 6,000 employees and operates at nearly 70 airports across North America, providing ground handling, cargo handling and catering services. Meanwhile, Texas-based Prime Flight Aviation Services provides airlines and airports with
ground handling, fueling, cargo handling, GSE maintenance, aircraft services, deicing, passenger services,
aviation cleaning supplies, and terminal services, as well as general aviation aircraft cleaning and support
services, across a global footprint. Following the transaction, Prime Flight now operates at more than 250 airports and service
locations across six continents. “We are incredibly excited to welcome the GAT team to Prime Flight and hope this transaction signals our
longstanding commitment to providing our airline partners with world class aviation services,” said
Charlotte Cheatham, chief operating officer and executive vice president for Prime Flight. "This acquisition is a significant milestone in our strategic growth plan. GAT greatly expands our ground handling footprint and further enhances our relationship with our airline partners through the addition of highly complementary capabilities, stations, and relationships. The combination will allow us to leverage operational efficiencies to better serve the industry. ” As we join Prime Flight, we’re incredibly excited to become part of one of the world’s largest aviation and
ground handling organizations—one that shares our commitment to people, safety, and operational
excellence,” said Mike Hough, chief executive of GAT. “Together, we’re positioned to build an even
stronger future for our employees, our customers, and the industry as a whole. "While Prime Flight will maintain its Sky Café brand and operations for its catering services, GAT’s other
operations and brand will be fully integrated into Prime Flight in the coming months. Last year Prime Flight acquired Strat Air’s cargo handling operations at MIA, RIC and SJU in the US.