Boeing has agreed to sell major components of its Digital Aviation Solutions portfolio, including Jeppesen and ForeFlight, to private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion. The deal supports Boeing’s strategy to prioritise its commercial and defence operations amidst recent financial and operational challenges.
Boeing has entered into an agreement to sell several key components of its “Digital Aviation Solutions” portfolio to private equity firm Thoma Bravo in a deal valued at $10.55 billion in cash. This transaction includes aviation services provider Jeppesen, flight planning software provider ForeFlight, electronic flight bag company OzRunways, and the maintenance management business AerData.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, forms part of Boeing’s broader strategy to concentrate on its core commercial and defence businesses while strengthening its financial position. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg commented on the deal, stating, “this is an important component of our strategy to focus on core businesses, supplement the balance sheet and prioritize the investment grade credit rating.” Despite the sale, Boeing has assured its customers that it will maintain essential digital capabilities related to fleet maintenance, diagnostics, and repair services.
From Thoma Bravo’s perspective, Managing Partner Scott Crabill expressed optimism about the acquisition, highlighting the growth and momentum of Boeing’s Digital Aviation Solutions unit in recent years. He said, “Thoma Bravo has a long track record of backing leading technology companies in partnership with existing management. We look forward to supporting the company’s standalone growth objectives through strategic investments, operational best practices and a shared commitment to innovation and long-term value creation.”
This transaction occurs against a challenging backdrop for Boeing, which has been grappling with a series of operational and financial difficulties. The company has faced major scrutiny following two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, problems with getting the 777X model into production, a notable in-flight incident involving a 737 door detaching, and issues with its Starliner space capsule that led to safety concerns and disrupted space missions. Financially, Boeing recorded its worst-ever loss in 2024, amounting to $11.8 billion.
Further complicating Boeing’s operating environment, recent geopolitical tensions have led China to instruct its airlines to halt accepting new deliveries of Boeing planes, a move interpreted as retaliation for new US tariffs. The timing of the sale comes just one day before Boeing is set to announce its first-quarter results for 2025.
The Register reports that when private equity firms take over technology businesses, cost-cutting and pricing changes often follow, with potential impacts for customers including product consolidations and increased prices. Such shifts can lead to challenging adjustment periods as the acquired companies alter their strategies to improve financial performance and eventually seek profitable exits.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/23/boeing_thoma_bravo_software_sale/ – This article corroborates the deal value of $10.55 billion in cash, the sale of Boeing’s Digital Aviation Solutions portfolio including Jeppesen, ForeFlight, OzRunways, and AerData, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg’s comments on focusing on core businesses and supplementing the balance sheet. It also discusses Thoma Bravo’s comments and Boeing’s recent financial challenges, including the $11.8 billion loss and China’s halt on accepting new Boeing planes.
- https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-04-22/thoma-bravo-buying-boeing-digital-aviation-solutions – This source confirms Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of Boeing’s Digital Aviation Solutions business, including the companies Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData, and OzRunways, and the transaction amount of $10.55 billion. It highlights the strategic nature of the acquisition and background on the related aviation services.
- https://www.kirkland.com/news/press-release/2025/04/kirkland-advises-thoma-bravo-on-acquisition-of-digital-aviation-assets-from-boeing – This press release verifies that Thoma Bravo agreed to purchase $10.55 billion worth of Boeing’s digital aviation assets including Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData and OzRunways. It also notes the transaction announcement date and anticipated regulatory approvals.
- https://www.aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com/news/boeing-to-sell-portions-digital-aviation-solutions/ – This source confirms Boeing’s sale of parts of its Digital Aviation Solutions portfolio to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion, specifically naming Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData, and OzRunways as part of the deal.
- https://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2025/april/boeing-announces-sale-of-digital-aviation-solutions.page – This official Boeing press release details the sale, emphasizing Boeing’s focus on core commercial and defense operations, the financial goals behind the transaction, and the commitment to retain critical digital capabilities related to fleet maintenance and diagnostics.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references Boeing’s upcoming first-quarter 2025 results, indicating recent timing. No evidence of recycled content found. Transaction details align with typical corporate announcements.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Quotes from Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and Thoma Bravo’s Scott Crabill are plausible but unsourced here. No prior instances of these exact statements found in available data.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The Register is cited as the originator. While generally credible, specifics of the narrative cannot be independently verified here. No corroborating third-party reports found.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The deal aligns with Boeing’s stated focus on core operations and financial recovery. Details match known financial pressures, including 2024 losses and geopolitical challenges with China.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is plausible and consistent with Boeing’s operational context. No factual inconsistencies detected, but source-independent verification would enhance reliability.
