Roots Air Gets off the Ground With $35M Private Placement

On September 13, 2000, Skyservice Airlines completed a private placement through Research Capital Corporation which raised total proceeds of approximately $35 million. The proceeds will be used in the establishment of its new schedule airline business to be known as Roots Air TM. Skyservice, which currently operates a charter airline, will expand its Canadian services by creating a new, full service schedule niche airline that focuses on the business traveler and provides international carriers with interlining opportunities in the Canadian market. Prior to completing the private placement, Skyservice executed a definitive agreement with Roots Canada Ltd. which gives Skyservice a trademark licence to use the RootsTM trademarks to brand its new schedule airline.

Skyservice was represented by teams from Smith Lyons (Toronto) and Coudert Brothers (Montreal). The Smith Lyons team was headed by Tina Woodside (corporate and securities), Elise Orenstein (branding and trademarks) and John Finley, Q.C., and included Tim Wach (tax), Don Johnston (branding and trademarks), Mark Travers and Ryan Farquhar (corporate and securities). The Coudert Brothers team consisted of Catherine Duff-Caron and Olier Caron. Research Capital was represented by a team from Aird & Berlis headed by Marty Kovnats that included Andrew Wilder and Jennifer Goldman. Roots was represented by Goodman Phillips & Vineberg lawyers Celia Rhea, David Weinberger and Jay Feldman and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s Len Glickman.