Gallagher has acquired Brisbane-based specialist broker Aviation Insurance Australia, which has served clients around the country since 1993.

Business leader Ian Tait and his team will remain in their current location, under the direction of Gallagher Australia Specialisms MD Paul Harvey, the global firm said in a statement.

“Aviation Insurance Australia is a well-respected broker that enhances our aviation capabilities and offers cross-selling opportunities in Australia,” Gallagher Chairman, President and CEO Patrick Gallagher said. “I am delighted to welcome Ian and his associates to our growing, global company.”

The brokerage website says the firm manages all aircraft types including fixed wing, rotor wing, gliders, warbirds, recreational aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

It also offers advice and placements of cover in areas such as aviation liability, pilot’s loss of licence, goods in transit, chemical liability and pilot indemnity.

Mr Tait holds a private pilot’s licence with a command instrument rating and has owned a fleet of single and multi-engine aircraft. The firm says its team has more than 120 years' combined experience as pilots, aviation enthusiasts, underwriters and brokers.

Gallagher has made a number of Australian acquisitions recently, earlier this month announcing it had purchased Queensland-based Ausure Coast & Country. Additions in the last couple of months also include Smart Insurance Services and JLS Insurance Consulting, both in Melbourne, and Newcastle-based McCluskey Insurance Brokers.