By Mike Stone
(Reuters) - Carlyle Group LP (O:CG) has been exploring a sale of aircraft leasing and maintenance company Landmark Aviation for as much as $1.7 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
The business jet market is slowly recovering from a downturn sparked by the global financial crisis helping valuations for companies offering services to that industry.
Carlyle initially looked at selling Landmark via a stock market listing but in the past few months has broadened out that process to include a possible outright sale.
Two of the sources said that Landmark Aviation's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)were around $170 million over a trailing 12-month period.
The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are not public.
Carlyle declined to comment. Representatives for Landmark did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Houston, Texas-based Landmark Aviation provides engine
maintenance, repair and overhaul, and nose-to-tail services that
include airframe, interior refurbishments, paint and charter management for private aircraft.
A similar company, StandardAero, owned by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd and based in Scottsdale, Arizona, attempted a sale which has struggled in the market, people following that process have said on condition of anonymity.
In 2007, Carlyle sold Landmark Aviation to state-owned Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd which simultaneously purchased aircraft maintenance services company StandardAero in a joint transaction valued at $1.8 billion.
DAE sold Landmark Aviation to private equity firms GTCR LLC and Platform Partners a year later. Carlyle again purchased Landmark Aviation in 2012. The price was not disclosed.
Separately, Carlyle announced the purchase of cyber security firm Novetta Solutions on Thursday. Carlyle purchased McLean, Virginia-based Novetta from Arlington Capital Partners for $555 million, according to a source familiar with the deal.
Carlyle and Novetta declined to comment, Arlington Capital did not immediately respond to a request for comment.