Solairus Aviation to Acquire Clay Lacy Charter and Management Units

Solairus Aviation agreed to acquire the charter and aircraft management units of Clay Lacy Aviation in a transaction expected to close in September, pending regulatory approvals. The deal will create a combined fleet of over 500 private jets, with approximately 200 available for charter. This move positions the combined entity as the sixth-largest operator in the United States by charter and fractional flight hours.

The transaction excludes Clay Lacy's maintenance businesses and fixed-base operator (FBO) services, which will remain under current ownership. Solairus CEO Dan Drohan stated the combination aims to provide better access for aircraft owners as operations grow more complex and expensive.

This acquisition follows a broader trend of consolidation within the fragmented U.S. aircraft management market, where several mid-sized operators have completed similar acquisitions earlier this year.