Global hookah innovator continues to deliver strong results with approximately $400 million revenue, $47 million profit for the year and $140 million in adjusted EBITDA in FY 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2026--
AIR Limited ("AIR" or the "Company"), the global leader in hookah and pioneer in advanced inhalation technologies, and Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAEP) ("CAEP"), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, today announced the filing of a Registration Statement on Form F-4 (the "F-4") by the Company and AIR Holdings Limited with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with the previously announced proposed business combination.
"The filing of the F-4 is an important milestone as we take another step closer to becoming a public company," said Stuart Brazier, CEO of AIR. "We're continuing to perform well and execute our business strategy, and we are optimistic about the rising popularity of hookah globally and especially in the U.S. With Al Fakher, our flagship brand and the largest hookah brand in the world, along with our other research-based products and world-class management team, we look forward to the strong capital foundation, financial flexibility and institutional credibility we expect from becoming publicly listed in the U.S."
As the transaction progresses, AIR's business remains on a growth trajectory. For the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, AIR's revenue increased approximately 6% to $400M from $377M the previous year. For the same period, AIR's profit for the year was $47 million and $34 million for the years ending Dec. 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. For the same period, AIR's adjusted EBITDA (with profit for the year as the closest IFRS measure) also improved 7% to $139M from $130M.
Background Information on AIR's Business Combination
On Nov. 7, 2025, AIR and CAEP, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, announced that they entered into a definitive business combination agreement for a proposed business combination (the "Proposed Business Combination") that, upon closing, will result in the combined company AIR Global PLC ("AIR Global") becoming publicly listed on the Nasdaq in the United States under the ticker symbol "AIIR."
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Additional information about the Proposed Business Combination, including a copy of the Business Combination Agreement, are available in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by CAEP with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
About AIR
Launched in 1999 and headquartered in Dubai, AIR is a global innovation leader in social inhalation, with a multinational presence in over 90 markets worldwide. Its portfolio of companies and assets includes Al Fakher, the world's leading hookah brand; Hookah.com, North America's number one B2B e-commerce platform for hookah and shisha by market share; and OOKA, a highly innovative charcoal-free shisha device, among others. AIR's science program, conducted in partnership with independent accredited laboratories, enables the development of innovative products that combine centuries of tradition with cutting-edge technology to minimize harm and maximize enjoyment for millions around the world.
For more information, please visit https://air.global/.
About Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc.
Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAEP) is a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald and led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brandon Lutnick. Cantor Equity Partners III, Inc. was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
About Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.
Cantor Fitzgerald, with nearly 16,000 employees, is a leading global financial services and real estate services holding company and a proven and resilient leader for more than 81 years. Its diverse group of global companies provides a wide range of products and services, including investment banking, asset and investment management, capital markets, prime services, research, digital assets, data, financial and commodities brokerage, trade execution, clearing, settlement, advisory, financial technology, custodial, commercial real estate advisory and servicing, and more.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "anticipate," "believe, " "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "plan," "project," "should," "strategy," "will," "will be, " "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).
Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to, among other things, the anticipated timing and completion of the Proposed Business Combination; AIR Global's proposed Nasdaq listing; the ability to satisfy closing conditions, obtain required shareholder and regulatory approvals, and meet applicable listing standards; the expected structure of the Proposed Business Combination and potential adjustments thereto; anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination to AIR, CAEP and AIR Global; AIR's growth strategy, market expansion plans, product innovation pipeline and commercialization efforts (including with respect to OOKA and other new technologies); partnerships and go-to-market initiatives; and market size, share and adoption trends. These statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause AIR Global's or AIR's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Proposed Business Combination (including as a result of a termination of the Business Combination Agreement and/or any related agreements between the relevant parties); the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AIR Global, CAEP or AIR, any of their subsidiaries or others following the announcement of the Proposed Business Combination; the inability to complete the Proposed Business Combination due to the failure to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals or to satisfy other conditions to closing; changes to the proposed structure of the Proposed Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations; the decision by the SEC to deem effective the F-4; the ability to meet the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards upon closing of the Proposed Business Combination and admission of AIR Global for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market; the risk that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of AIR as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Proposed Business Combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AIR to grow, retain its management and key employees; costs related to the Proposed Business Combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; and other risks and uncertainties expected to be set forth in the F-4. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which AIR, CAEP and AIR Global cannot predict with accuracy and some of which neither AIR, CAEP nor AIR Global might even anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and AIR, CAEP and AIR Global do not assume any obligation to and do not intend to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CAEP, AIR or AIR Global or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.
No assurances can be made that the parties will successfully close the Proposed Business Combination or close the Proposed Business Combination on the timeframe currently contemplated. The Proposed Business Combination is subject to the filing with the SEC, and effectiveness, of the F-4, as well as other regulatory approvals and customary conditions to closing.
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