OAI Holdings Buys Omni Air International, Names New CEO

A fresh ownership chapter is beginning for Omni Air International, the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based charter airline that's been flying under the radar for more than three decades. OAI Holdings, LLC — an investment group that includes Rob Coretz and Jude Bricker — has completed the purchase of the carrier along with all of its associated assets, the company announced via BusinessWire.

If the name Jude Bricker rings a bell, there's a reason for that. He's one of the original founders of Omni Air, which makes this deal feel less like a cold corporate takeover and more like a homecoming. Upon closing of the transaction, Bricker steps into the roles of President and CEO — essentially returning to a company he helped build from the ground up. "We founded Omni over thirty years ago. I'm excited to be involved once again," Bricker said in the announcement.

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Omni Air International operates as a US FAA Part 121 certified and IOSA registered airline, meaning it clears the highest safety and operational standards required for commercial air transport. The carrier is headquartered at Tulsa International Airport, keeping its roots firmly planted in Oklahoma despite whatever changes new ownership might bring.

For the aviation world, founder-led buybacks aren't unheard of, but they do carry a certain nostalgic energy that can re-energize a company's culture and direction. Whether OAI Holdings has expansion ambitions or plans to sharpen Omni's existing charter niche remains to be seen, but the leadership signal is clear — Bricker is back and apparently ready to get to work.

Continue reading at BusinessWire.