NEW YORK, NY – March 9, 2026 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today 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.
With over 45,000 employees operating at more than 240 airports, Unifi generates more than $2 billion in revenue and serves a diversified customer base. The company delivers mission-critical ground handling, cabin cleaning, passenger services, security, and cargo solutions that enable safe and efficient operations across the aviation sector. Beyond its extensive U.S. footprint, Unifi maintains a strong presence in Canada, the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands—and continues to expand its global operations.
“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,” said Karan Ishwar, CEO of the Argenbright Group, majority owner of Unifi.
Frank A. Argenbright Jr., Chairman of the Argenbright Group further stated, “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.”
“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,” said Gary Jacovino, Partner on Carlyle’s Credit Opportunities team. “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.”
Carlyle’s Credit Opportunities strategy within the firm’s Global Credit platform seeks to provide highly structured and privately negotiated solutions across the capital structure to family, founder, and management-owned businesses, sponsor-backed companies, and special situations, with a focus on long-term value creation. Carlyle’s Global Credit platform has $211 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $477 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,500 people in 27 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
About Unifi Aviation
Unifi Aviation, LLC® is 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. Operating at more than 240 airports, Unifi provides a full range of services, including ground handling, passenger transport, security, cabin cleaning, and ground support equipment maintenance. In addition to its extensive U.S. footprint, Unifi has a well-established presence in Canada, the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, employing thousands of team members across aviation and adjacent service industries, and continues to expand its global operations. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Unifi is part of the Argenbright Group. For more information, visit unifiservice.com.
Media Contact
Unifi
mediarelations@unifiservice.com
Carlyle
Kristen Ashton
212-813-4763
kristen.ashton@carlyle.com
