Reports of mass layoffs at ForeFlight, a leading flight planning platform in general aviation, have ignited pilot forums and social media following its acquisition by Thoma Bravo in late 2025, highlighting **private equity cost-cutting tactics** in mission-critical SaaS assets.[1]
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Deal Background and Layoff Reports
Boeing sold its Digital Aviation Solutions unit—including ForeFlight, Jeppesen, AerData, and OzRunways—to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 billion in an all-cash transaction completed late 2025. The deal carved out these assets into a standalone entity focused on aviation navigation and planning software.
By early January 2026, unconfirmed reports emerged on Reddit, Facebook, and pilot communities alleging abrupt layoffs affecting engineering and support teams, potentially up to 30% of ForeFlight’s workforce. Employees reportedly received email notifications, though neither ForeFlight nor Thoma Bravo has detailed the scope publicly. Company statements reference “restructuring” and future investments without specifics.[1]
Pilot Reactions and Product Loyalty
Pilots express concern over impacts to product quality, customer support, and development—key for a safety-critical tool integrated into general, business, and military aviation. Criticism targets **private equity ownership models**, with users arguing cost reductions risk reliability in electronic flight bags (EFBs).
Despite unease, adoption remains steady. ForeFlight’s intuitive interface, real-time weather integration, and ecosystem lock-in deter switches to rivals like Garmin Pilot. Users cite high switching costs and familiarity as reasons to stay, absent clear service declines.[1]
Private Equity Playbook in Aviation Tech
Thoma Bravo’s approach aligns with its **SaaS carve-out strategies**, emphasizing margin expansion post-acquisition. Similar moves followed its 2023 purchase of ConnectWise and prior aviation bets, where initial cuts targeted redundancies before growth investments. Bain & Company notes PE firms in software often trim 15-25% of headcount in Year 1 to boost EBITDA by 20-30% ahead of exits.[1]
| Comparable PE Aviation Software Deals | Deal Value | Post-Acquisition Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thoma Bravo / Boeing Digital Aviation (2025) | $10.55B | Reported layoffs; restructuring | Ongoing |
| Veritas Capital / Viasat Aviation (2024) | $1.2B | 15% headcount reduction | EBITDA +25% in 18 months |
| KKR / Avtech (2023) | $800M | Engineering consolidation | IPO prep 2026 |
Industry Implications and **Cross-Border M&A Trends 2025**
Aviation software faces regulatory scrutiny on data security and FAA compliance, amplifying layoff risks. McKinsey highlights **PE exit strategies in SaaS** favoring operational efficiency amid 2025 valuation resets, with aviation tech multiples compressing to 8-10x EBITDA from 2024 peaks. Pilots’ loyalty buffers short-term revenue hits, but prolonged support gaps could cede ground to Garmin or Honeywell ecosystems.
Thoma Bravo’s track record suggests stabilization by mid-2026, positioning the portfolio for a 3-5 year exit via IPO or strategic sale, consistent with its $50B+ aviation-adjacent dry powder deployment.
Sources
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https://ground.news/interest/layoffs
