AIR.L Regulatory News (AIR)

26 May 2020

Air Partner company Redline secures four-year security consultancy contractto support Align JV on HS2 project

Redline, an Air Partner company and a leading provider of global security solutions, is pleased to announce it has secured a four-year contract to provide Align JV ("Align") with security consultancy support on the delivery of a key section of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line between London and Birmingham, known as the C1 package.

Align, a joint venture of three international and privately-owned infrastructure companies1, was awarded the C1 package of HS2, worth £1.6bn, in July 2017. C1 consists of 21.6km of high-speed rail infrastructure in a rural environment, including a 3.37km viaduct across the Colne Valley, a 16.04km twin-bored tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills, and five vent shafts.

Align engaged Redline in 2017 to support on this project and a dedicated Security Consultant has worked in-house with the Align team ever since as it has progressed the design and started important pre-construction activities.

A Notice to Proceed was issued in April 2020 and Align has extended its contract with Redline for a further four years to ensure security measures are fully considered in the next phase of the rail infrastructure project. Redline will increase its consultancy support, with a Security Manager now joining the Security Consultant already in place.

This contract extension follows on from the recent announcement that Redline has also won long-term quality assurance contracts with Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur and the international facilities management company OCS Group UK. In addition to the aviation sector, Redline has a well-established footprint within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and locations of special importance, as well as government buildings.

Mark Briffa, CEO of Air Partner, said: "The acquisition of Redline was the highlight of our last financial year and we are very pleased with its performance since joining Air Partner. One of the reasons we acquired the business was its long-term contracted revenues with global blue-chip customers, which in turn will serve to improve the quality and visibility of the Group's overall earnings. This contract extension is a fantastic example of this, and we look forward to continuing to play an important role in this high-profile project."

Paul Mason, Managing Director of Air Partner's Safety & Security division, added: "We are delighted to be continuing our work with Align as it embarks upon this next exciting stage of the C1 route. Redline has been working closely with the rail and CNI sectors for over nine years now and will continue to draw on this extensive experience and expertise to provide Align with the highest standard security consultancy services."

1Bouygues Travaux Publics, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, a subsidiary of VolkerWessels.

ENDS

 Enquiries:

About Air Partner:

Founded in 1961, Air Partner is a global aviation services group providing aircraft charter and aviation safety & security solutions to industry, commerce, governments and private individuals, across civil and military organisations. The Group has two divisions: Air Partner Charter, comprising Group Charter, Private Jets, Freight and Specialist Services; and Air Partner Safety & Security (formerly Consulting & Training), which comprises Baines Simmons, Redline Assured Security and Managed Services.

Group Charter charters large airliners to move groups of any size. Private Jets offers the Company's unique pre-paid JetCard scheme and on-demand charter for up to 19 people. Freight charters aircraft of every size to fly almost any cargo anywhere, at any time. Specialist Services comprises Air Partner's other aviation services that complement its Charter business: Remarketing, ACMI, scheduled group travel, tour operations, air evacuation and flight operations.

Baines Simmons offers aviation safety management and fatigue risk management. Redline Assured Security delivers government-standard security training, consultancy and solutions to regulated, high value and high threat environments. Managed Services offers wildlife hazard management and aircraft registry services.

Air Partner has 16 locations across three continents, with its headquarters located alongside Gatwick airport in the UK. The group employs around 450 aviation professionals globally and operates 24/7. Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIR) and is the only publicly listed air charter broker and aviation safety & security consultancy. It is ISO 9001:2015 compliant for commercial airline and private jet solutions worldwide.

More information is available on the company's website (www.airpartner.com)

About Redline:

Established in 2006, Redline provides government-standard global security solutions for aviation, rail, Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and major event and corporate establishments, as well as other high-risk businesses. Redline conducts auditing and quality assurance on behalf of both public and private sector organisations, as well as various government agencies. Its range of products and services spans the entire security training, quality assurance and consultancy spectrum and includes technology-based software applications and tools, such as its digital Security Management System (SeMS) platform and e-Learning.

Redline is a UK industry leader in all matters regarding security and quality assurance through audits and covert and overt testing and has been providing training for over 13 years from its headquarters at the National Security Training Centre (NSTC) at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. With over 100 employees in offices in Doncaster, London and Paris, this ISO9001 company operates at the highest levels of aviation security with a notable record of achievement at G2G (government-to-government) and B2G (business-to-government) undertakings.

Redline has a significant national and international client base, many of whom use Redline as their sole supplier for their security requirements. Redline is endorsed by ICAO as an Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC).

More information is available on the company's website (www.trustredline.co.uk)