Aerospace giants GE Aerospace, Honeywell, RTX, and TransDigm Group have all emerged as potential bidders for Jeppesen, according to analyst Jefferies. Reports began to surface late last year that Boeing was looking to sell the Centennial, Colorado-based navigation, flight planning, and operations information provider. The initial rounds of bids for Jeppesen were due at the end of January, Jefferies said, estimating that the company could fetch $7 billion. Boeing acquired Jeppesen in 2000 for $1.5 billion.

Jefferies noted that GE has earmarked $7 billion for mergers and acquisitions activity between 2024 and 2026 with plans for relatively low leverage and said Jeppesen could help fill out its market presence with flight-deck capabilities.

The acquisition fits with Honeywell Aerospace’s plans for a standalone company, particularly as it looks to forward its next-generation product lines, such as the Anthem flight deck. Further, its Primus Epic avionics offers Jeppesen data, Jefferies noted.

RTX is also looking to accelerate Collins’ Beyond the Aircraft business, which is focused on connected flight deck, air traffic management, and predictive maintenance analytics. Jeppesen is a partner on its platforms. A Jeppesen acquisition further would help reinvigorate TransDigm, Jefferies said.