Jeppesen

Jeppesen
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Aviation, navigational data, software
Founded	1934; 92 years ago
Founder	Elrey Borge Jeppesen
Headquarters	Inverness, Colorado, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Aeronautical navigation charts, flight planning software, operational planning solutions
Number of employees	3200
Parent	Boeing (until 2025), then Thoma Bravo (from April 2025)

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Jeppesen, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 25 July 2025

Jeppesen—also referred to as Jeppesen Sanderson—is a U.S.-based firm specializing in navigational data, operational planning solutions, and aviation flight planning software and products. Its aeronautical navigation charts, popularly known as "Jepp charts" or simply "Jepps," are extensively utilized by aviators. The company has also embraced electronic charting technology, which is preferred on mobile devices, electronic flight bags, and integrated cockpit display systems.

With its main office located in Inverness, Colorado, Jeppesen maintains a global presence through branches in Neu-Isenburg (Germany), Massa (Italy), Crawley (United Kingdom), Gothenburg (Sweden), Canberra (Australia), and Gdańsk (Poland). Employing roughly 3,200 personnel worldwide, it operates as a subsidiary under the umbrella of Boeing.

History

Established in 1934 by aviator and businessman Elrey Borge Jeppesen, the company was a trailblazer in creating aeronautical charts designed for use during flight. Originally developed for personal navigation purposes, these charts rapidly gained popularity among fellow pilots, leading Jeppesen to commercialize them. His spouse, former flight attendant Nadine Jeppesen, significantly contributed to the enterprise’s initial growth.

By the end of the 1930s, United Airlines, where Jeppesen was employed, became one of the first major airlines to adopt his charts. Rising demand compelled Jeppesen to resign from his role as captain to dedicate himself fully to chart production.

In 1941, the company relocated its headquarters from Salt Lake City, Utah to Denver, Colorado. Highlighting its importance to aviation, Denver International Airport honored Jeppesen by naming one of its terminals after him in 1991.

1940s

In 1947, Jeppesen partnered with the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) to develop standardized instrument approach procedures and establish the National Flight Data Center. This collaboration improved regulatory compliance and enhanced the company’s credibility within the market.

1957: The firm expanded into European markets by opening an office in Frankfurt, Germany, broadening its international reach.

1961: Acquisition by the Times-Mirror Company, parent organization of the Los Angeles Times, marked a pivotal change in corporate structure and financial resources.

1970s

1973: The launch of Jeppesen NavData® integrated commercial flight management systems with innovative avionics data.

1974: Entry into flight training was achieved through merging with Sanderson Films, diversifying product lines and solidifying market presence.

1980s

Jeppesen strategically acquired companies to enhance its offerings:

Bottlang Airfield Manual introduced European visual flight rules (VFR) approach procedures and airport information.
Icarus (later rebranded as OpsData) provided advanced runway and aircraft performance analytics to optimize operations.

1989: The purchase of Lockheed DataPlan expanded capabilities into flight planning and meteorological services, strengthening competitive positioning in aviation data solutions.

1990s

From 1990 through 1995, Jeppesen extended its international operations by establishing offices in Australia and China to better serve Asia-Pacific clients. Growth continued via acquisitions including TannGuide (which evolved into JeppGuide airport directory), APU (integrated into OpsData), and International Aviation Publishers, known for aviation maintenance training manuals.

In 1996, Jeppesen introduced JeppView—a comprehensive global collection of terminal aeronautical charts distributed on CD-ROM. That year also saw acquisition of MentorPlus, a developer specializing in PC-based aviation and marine moving map and flight planning software.

By 1998, the company had implemented Internet-based delivery for NavData updates, enhancing its suite of digital services.

2000s

In 2000, Jeppesen expanded its marine product line by acquiring Nobeltec, Inc., a Portland-based company specializing in marine navigation software. That same year, Boeing purchased Jeppesen from the Tribune Company, incorporating it into its comprehensive aerospace business framework.

Jeppesen launched its inaugural commercial electronic flight bag along with Internet-based chart distribution in 2002. The following year, it became the first commercial organization to receive FAA certification as a Qualified Internet Communications Provider (QICP), solidifying its position at the forefront of digital aviation technology.

In 2004, Jeppesen acquired SBS International, a New York-based provider of crew scheduling services formerly owned by Boeing. Two years later, it added Gothenburg’s Carmen Systems, known for expertise in crew scheduling and disruption management software; these acquisitions were merged to optimize their product suite.

The company broadened its marine sector in 2007 by purchasing C-MAP, a global supplier of digital maritime cartography and data services with operations spanning Europe, Asia, and the United States. In 2008, Jeppesen enhanced its marine offerings further by acquiring Ocean Systems, Inc., recognized for vessel and voyage optimization software.

Among regulatory achievements, Jeppesen secured FAA approval in 2008 for its Airport Moving Map application tailored for Class 2 electronic flight bags and gained authorization in 2009 to design and validate required navigation performance (RNP) procedures within the U.S. That same year, as part of strategic portfolio realignment, Jeppesen divested its Nobeltec product line to Signet USA.

2010s

In 2010, Jeppesen obtained authorization from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority to design, validate, and maintain both required navigation performance and conventional instrument approach procedures. Additionally, it received the INFORMS Prize recognizing its extensive application of operations research that year.

By 2012, Jeppesen had introduced arrival procedures for Denver International Airport. The following year saw the launch of Mobile FlightDeck VFR aimed at general aviation pilots, alongside the completion of the sale of its journey planning business to SilverRail Technologies. In 2014, Jeppesen released FliteDeck Pro compatible with Windows 8.

Jeppesen exited the marine industry in 2016 by selling its Marine Division—including the C-MAP brand and associated products—to Digital Marine Solutions. In 2017, it partnered with ForeFlight to integrate its electronic charts into ForeFlight Mobile, a prominent electronic flight bag application.

2020s

Toward the end of 2022, Jeppesen was among two Boeing subsidiaries affected by a cyberattack that caused service disruptions lasting eight days. In April 2025, ownership of Jeppesen transferred to private equity firm Thoma Bravo, signaling a strategic change in corporate governance.

Alleged involvement with CIA extraordinary rendition flights

On October 23, 2006, The New Yorker disclosed that Jeppesen handled logistical coordination for CIA extraordinary rendition flights, citing statements from former employee and company managing director Bob Overby acknowledging the firm's participation in these operations.

Jeppesen was named in a 2007 lawsuit filed by the ACLU alleging complicity in extraordinary rendition activities. The case was dismissed in 2008 due to national security concerns raised by the U.S. government. In 2011, the Supreme Court declined to review the dismissal.

Additional flight assistance providers

External links