DVV announces intention to acquire RBI’s aviation publishing & conferences

DVV Media International Ltd (DVV) has today announced its intention to acquire the publishing activities and conferences in the aviation sector from Reed Business Information Ltd (RBI), part of the Risk & Business Analytics (R&BA) market segment of RELX.

The portfolio includes the leading magazine brands Flight International and Airline Business, the daily news, views, analysis and other publishing activities at international air shows, including Flight Daily News and Flight Evening News, a portfolio of aviation conferences and awards, including The Airline Strategy Awards, other publishing activities such as FlightJobs, and the websites supporting these publishing activities.

This publishing and conferences portfolio is part of Cirium, R&BA’s data and analytics business for the wider travel industry. Cirium enables customers to provide the finance for fleets, build and maintain aircraft, efficiently transport passengers and improve traveller experience, and its focus is to drive targeted, profitable and informed decisions. Cirium will continue as part of R&BA, reflecting its strategic priority of focusing on data and analytics.

DVV is owned by German newspaper publisher Rheinische Post and is based in Sutton, Surrey. DVV has acquired a number of businesses previously owned by RBI, such as Personnel Today, Railway Gazette International, Commercial Motor and Motor Transport, all of which have thrived under DVV’s ownership.

The portfolio will join DVV’s complementary Air Cargo News brand to substantially increase DVV’s offering to the aviation sector. It brings with it more than 110 years of proud heritage and award-winning multi-platform editorial excellence, and a significant global reach.

“This is a significant step forward for our organisation,” said Andy Salter, MD of DVV, “The new portfolio means we now have a comprehensive offering across all modes of the transport and logistics business information sector. We are all looking forward to working with the new team to build on the legacy of these products and develop a thriving market offering.”

Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium said: “This divestment reflects the strategic priority for Cirium of focusing on its data and analytics businesses. DVV is a great home for the publishing portfolio, and we are confident it will provide a secure future for the team and brands. I’d like to recognize and thank all of the staff for their exceptional dedication and commitment over the years and we look forward to their continued success.”

The transaction is expected to complete in the second half of 2019 after appropriate employee consultation.