Iridium to Acquire Aireon and Expand Space-Based Aviation Capabilities

Iridium Communications Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system, announced in a press release.

The acquisition unifies Aireon’s global surveillance and aviation data services with Iridium’s satellite network and positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities. The combined platform will provide real time aircraft location, pilot communication, navigation integrity, and operational analytics through a single satellite system.

Iridium will purchase the remaining 61 percent of Aireon’s equity from NAV CANADA, NATS, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, and Naviair for approximately 366.7 million dollars, with half paid at closing and half one year later. The company will also assume about 155 million dollars of Aireon’s debt. The transaction is expected to close in early July 2026.

The agreement extends Aireon’s commercial partnerships with NAV CANADA and NATS through 2035 and includes plans for cooperative development of space-based VHF communications. Aireon’s system, certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, currently tracks around 190,000 flights per day and supports more than half of the world’s airspace operators.

Iridium stated that Aireon’s data services business, which includes turbulence detection and GPS interference monitoring, will continue to operate without change and is expected to contribute about 100 million dollars in annual service revenue and 30 million dollars in OEBITDA after the acquisition.