Aircraft seller and lessor AerSale acquired aircraft parts distributor Qwest Air Parts.

Based in Memphis, TN, Qwest is a recognized leader in aircraft dismantlement and the refurbishment and resale of USM. Qwest has disassembled over 200 aircraft, offers 24/7 AOG service, and operates a teardown facility in Crestview, FL.

Gary Jones, Qwest’s founder, president and CEO, will continue to lead Qwest, which will operate as a stand-alone independent subsidiary of AerSale.

The acquisition of Qwest will add scale and reach to AerSale’s already significant airframe USM offerings. Furthermore, Qwest’s recently certified repair station, Q2 Aviation, will supplement AerSale’s growing MRO platform.

“As a proven leader in aircraft parts distribution, Qwest is an optimal partner to help further expand our large inventory of high-demand USM, which we cost-efficiently source through fleet acquisitions and part-out of our retiring lease portfolio assets,” said Nicolas Finazzo, executive chairman of AerSale. “Our customers can now look forward to even more expertise and added value from our integrated aircraft, engine, and component solutions.”

AerSale provides one-stop services offering aircraft and engine leasing, uncompromising MRO services, and USM supply solutions to commercial and governmental operators. The company provides flight equipment operators and MROs significant cost savings on the purchase of USM in lieu of expensive OEM new replacement parts.

The acquisition of Qwest will include the addition of 38 skilled professionals and technicians to the greater AerSale family, along with a 160,000-square-foot headquarters and warehouse facility in Memphis, and a 20,000-square-foot teardown facility in Florida. Qwest holds all relevant quality certifications, including ASA-100 and U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Material certification.