Carlyle Announces Strategic Financing for Unifi Aviation

Global investment firm provides growth capital as Unifi expands aviation services footprint

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Global investment firm Carlyle announced a strategic financing for Unifi Aviation, a global aviation services company and the largest ground handling provider in North America. The financing will help simplify Unifi's ownership structure and provide growth capital as the company expands its service offerings and footprint across the aviation ecosystem.

Why it matters

The partnership between Carlyle and Unifi Aviation marks an important milestone for the ground handling provider as it looks to unlock new opportunities and accelerate its global expansion. Carlyle's expertise in private credit and aviation services will support Unifi's high-growth business model and enable the company to better serve its diverse customer base.

The details

The financing from Carlyle will help Unifi Aviation, which generates over $2 billion in revenue and operates at more than 240 airports with 45,000 employees, to simplify its ownership structure and fund growth initiatives. Unifi provides mission-critical ground handling, cabin cleaning, passenger services, security, and cargo solutions that enable safe and efficient operations across the aviation sector. The company has a strong presence in North America, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and continues to expand globally.

  • Carlyle announced the strategic financing on March 9, 2026.

The players

Carlyle

A global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. Carlyle has $477 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.

Unifi Aviation

A global aviation services company and the largest ground handling provider in North America, with more than 45,000 employees servicing over four million flights annually at more than 240 airports.

Karan Ishwar

CEO of the Argenbright Group, majority owner of Unifi Aviation.

Frank A. Argenbright Jr.

Chairman of the Argenbright Group, which owns Unifi Aviation.

Gary Jacovino

Partner on Carlyle's Credit Opportunities team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our partnership with Carlyle marks an important milestone for Unifi. Their deep expertise in private credit and aviation services, combined with their conviction in our business model and management team, enables us to unlock new opportunities for our customers and stakeholders. Carlyle's ability to navigate complex situations and support high-growth companies like Unifi makes them an ideal partner as we enter our next phase of expansion.”

— Karan Ishwar, CEO of the Argenbright Group, majority owner of Unifi Aviation (Unifi)

“This strategic financing arrangement with Carlyle provides us the capital and confidence to expand our footprint and deliver even greater value to the clients we serve. Carlyle brings a sophisticated understanding of our industry, and their support reinforces the strength of our strategy and the momentum behind our business.”

— Frank A. Argenbright Jr., Chairman of the Argenbright Group (Unifi)

“Unifi is a core part of the aviation infrastructure in North America, and we are pleased to support the business through this flexible capital solution. Unifi's scale, performance-driven culture, and track record of service excellence positions it well for long-term growth as a critical strategic partner to the global aviation industry.”

— Gary Jacovino, Partner on Carlyle's Credit Opportunities team (Carlyle)

What’s next

Carlyle's strategic financing is expected to help Unifi Aviation simplify its ownership structure and provide the resources needed to expand its global footprint and service offerings across the aviation industry.

The takeaway

The partnership between Carlyle and Unifi Aviation underscores the importance of ground handling and aviation services providers as critical infrastructure supporting the global aviation ecosystem. Unifi's ability to maintain its mission-driven, community-focused values while scaling its operations highlights the potential for values-aligned businesses to thrive in the aviation industry.