Gerd Brandecker, founder and owner of Cirrus Airlines and Aviation Investment GmbH, has acquired shares in two Munich-based helicopter flight operators. Together with his business partner Axel-Georg Andre, owner of the cigar company Arnold Andre, the aviation entrepreneur now holds a 75 per cent stake in HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH. Hans Ostler is the other partner in the firm.

Brandecker, a helicopter pilot, had already bought up a 50 per cent stake in MHS Helicopter Flugservice GmbH in December 2009. "This latest move sees MHS become a full subsidiary of HTM," Brandecker explains.

He adds: "Against the backdrop of the current global economy, the importance of helicopter services which offer a high level of mobility and flexibility is growing rapidly. Short notice charter flights, rescue flights, offshore hoist operations and offshore passenger transportation are increasingly sought after. This move therefore represents an investment in a growing market which places exacting demands on crew, material and service quality. HTM and MHS are in an excellent position to fulfil those demands."

Brandecker, aged 54, has flown helicopters for 15 years, is an instrument rated flying instructor and holds a commercial pilot license, airline transport pilot license and a captain's license for Learjets and the Gulfstream 550. In 1995 he founded Cirrus Airlines, a partner of Lufthansa and Swiss, which currently operates a fleet of 15 aircraft on various routes around Europe.

Brandecker says: "The acquisition of stakes in helicopter flight operators will enable the further expansion and coordination of a top class, service-oriented aviation portfolio. The companies have already proved they complement each other: In the days that followed the volcanic eruption in Iceland, Cirrus Airlines united with HTM to set up a helicopter shuttle route from Munich."

HTM holds IFR and offshore licenses and runs its own flying school. Founded by Ostler in 1997, it operates 13 helicopters including the A109, EC135 and 145, AS350 and EC 120 operating from bases at Munich, Ottensoos near Nuremberg, Emden and Salzburg.

Its 50-plus team includes 20 pilots and offers charter services, offshore passenger transport including hoist operations on the open sea, cargo flights, external load flights, rescue flights, vip charters, film-related services and event-based flights.

The package also includes HTM's subsidiaries which operate numerous jet aircraft, provide services including international hoist training and also run a successful maintenance firm.

MHS Helicopter Flugservice Muenchen was founded in 1973 and is set to become a subsidiary of HTM. Its A109, Bell 206 and Bell 407 are used for passenger transport, vip flights, film-related services, photography flights and the transport of cargo.

Cirrus Airlines, founded in 1995, carried more than 400,000 passengers in 2009. It is part of Aviation Investment GmbH which also consists of Cirrus Maintenance, Cirrus Service and Nana Tours.