ATD Flight Systems (Kansas City Downtown), a Part 135-certified operator, aircraft management company, and pilot training provider, has been acquired by regional investor collective Northwest Missouri Aero Group. The transaction, announced on September 16, closed on June 8.

The deal encompasses all ATD Flight Systems' divisions, including ATD Air Charter, the company's Part 135 operator whose fleet comprises a Citation Jet 1, a Citation XLS, and a Citation XLS+, ATD Aircraft Management, and ATD Pilot Training, an FAA Part 141 approved training organisation.

Following the acquisition, ATD Air Charter expects to add a PC-12 turboprop to serve missions requiring access to smaller airports. The company is further evaluating a third aircraft family in the large-cabin, long-range category to support international operations.

The new partners are also offering lease options to qualifying buyers of aircraft approved for ATD Air Charter's charter platform. Under the arrangement, ATD Air Charter will manage, maintain, and operate the aircraft. Additionally, Northwest Missouri Aero Group expects to announce further aircraft, services, and training initiatives for the ATD Pilot Training division.

ATD Flight Systems founder Bill Hays has retired, while his daughter, Keara Neifach, who led the company for the past five years, remains an owner and will work alongside Northwest Missouri Aero Group.

Northwest Missouri Aero Group comprises pilots, aviation educators, business operators, investors, and aviation enthusiasts.

Following the acquisition of ATD Flight Systems, Northwest Missouri Aero Group operates a combined fleet of 25 aircraft and employs approximately 75 people across five locations in Kansas City, Clinton, St. Joseph, and Columbia, Missouri, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The organisation's businesses include FlyTech, a flight school based in St. Joseph.