Solairus Aviation has agreed to acquire the aircraft management and charter divisions of Clay Lacy Aviation, creating a managed fleet of more than 500 business aircraft.
Solairus currently manages about 360 aircraft from more than 100 bases across North America, while Clay Lacy manages around 140. Once the deal closes, Solairus says the combined operation will be the world’s largest managed fleet, and the company will remain headquartered in Petaluma, California, with offices in Los Angeles and New York.
Dan Drohan, founder and CEO of Solairus, said, “With this transaction, Solairus solidifies its position as the leading pure-play aircraft management company in the world.”
Solairus said greater scale would help it manage rising costs, secure better pricing, expand access and improve service as the private aviation market consolidates. Both firms have built their businesses on personalized, high-touch management, Solairus said, and the combined company aims to become the provider of choice for private aircraft management and charter.
For Clay Lacy, the sale lets it concentrate on its FBO, maintenance and real estate businesses, which will remain under the Clay Lacy name and current ownership.
Brian Kirkdoffer, chairman of the board of Clay Lacy Aviation, said, “Clay Lacy will continue forward as a focused aviation infrastructure platform built around FBOs, aviation real estate, and aircraft maintenance.”
Kirkdoffer said the retained FBO, maintenance and real estate operations remained strong and full of opportunity, and were central to Clay Lacy’s next chapter.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close at the end of September 2026, with the two companies operating separately until then. Financial terms were not disclosed; Jefferies was exclusive financial advisor to Clay Lacy.
Founded in 2009 and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Solairus employs more than 1,200 flight crew and support staff and holds IS-BAO Stage Three, ARG/US Platinum and Wyvern Wingman safety ratings. It also offers on-demand charter, aviation consulting and operational support.
