By Scott Hamilton

June 19, 2025, © Leeham News, Paris: The big news for LNA at this Paris Air Show this week had nothing to do with aerospace companies.

On Tuesday, it was jointly announced by AIN Media Group and Leeham Co LLC, parent of LNA, that AIN is acquiring LNA. We expect the transaction to close next month, awaiting documentation from the lawyers.

Leeham Co LLC and its other business, Leeham Consulting, remains with my partner, Bjorn Fehrm and me. We also remain with LNA. For the first time since 1989, I will report to a boss.

Talk about a mental adjustment.

An exciting future

AIN and LNA are truly excited about this deal. Bjorn and I are each 74 years old (he’s the older one), so at long, overdue last, we are taking our first steps toward retirement. For me, this is my second business created and sold. I co-founded Linkraven Ltd. In 1989.

This British company was the parent of Commercial Aviation Report, Commercial Aviation Value Report, and Commercial Aviation Events. My partner and I sold Linkraven 10 years later, and I founded Leeham Co LLC as a consulting company. LNA came along in 2008 because I just couldn’t keep from writing about the industry.

Bjorn joins LNA; we join AIN

Bjorn and I hooked up in 2013, and we’ve been together ever since.

AIN Media Group was founded 50 years ago by Wilson Leach. His son David and daughter Jennifer are with the business today, and Wilson is, too, at age 78. AIN’s president, Ruben Kempeneer, joined in 2022.

AIN focuses primarily on business aviation and will use LNA for growth into the commercial aviation arena. For LNA, aside from our personal exit strategy, we’re excited about tapping into AIN’s far greater resources to strengthen our commercial aviation reporting as we help expand its overall business strategy.

As you can imagine, both companies are so gratified by the outpouring of congratulations, kind words and warmth expressed online and at the air show as we encountered face-to-face fans of both outlets, friends and business associates.

LNA lives on

For me personally, I’m excited that the legacy of LNA will live on with AIN. LNA’s team for writers will also make the transition to continue with AIN. From the outward perspective, readers won’t see any change, except expansion, of LNA’s business plan and reporting.

LNA has worked with teams of writers over the years. The quality and scope of our reporting would not have been possible without them. I’m so proud of their contributions.

Thank you all very much for those who have been supporters, collaborators and subscribers over the years. And thanks for your accolades, support and encouragement as we transition to AIN’s ownership.

Footnote: Bjorn and I have a lot of stories we gathered at the Paris Air Show that will be published in the coming weeks.

By new book, The Rise and Fall of Boeing, and The Way Back, will be published in September. It is a sequel of sorts to Air Wars, The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing.