Solairus Aviation To Buy Clay Lacy Divisions

Private aviation services company Solairus Aviation on Aug. 7 announced an agreement to acquire the aircraft management and charter divisions of Clay Lacy Aviation for an undisclosed price.

Solairus, based in Petaluma, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, currently manages 360 aircraft from more than 100 base locations across North America. Clay Lacy Aviation, based at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, manages 140 aircraft.

Upon completion of the transaction, Solairus says it will operate the world’s largest fleet of managed private aircraft. The company’s corporate headquarters will remain in Petaluma, with offices in Los Angeles and New York.

“With this transaction, Solairus solidifies its position as the leading pure-play aircraft management company in the world,” said Solairus founder and CEO Dan Drohan. “As key players in the aircraft management business, Solairus and Clay Lacy Aviation have both been successful because of our fundamental belief that the aviation business is not simply about airplanes. It is about people, relationships, trust and service.”

Drohan founded Solairus in 2009. He is an Airline Transport Pilot-rated aviator with qualifications in multiple business jets, and an active philanthropist.

Clay Lacy Aviation will retain its fixed-base operator (FBO), maintenance and real estate businesses as stand-alone entities under their current ownership.

“The foundation of this transaction is our shared philosophies and our common emphasis on safety, customer experience and employee culture,” said Clay Lacy Aviation Chairman Brian Kirkdoffer. “We know that we’re putting our valued clients in good hands with Solairus. In addition, this transaction will enable us to implement a more focused strategy for our FBO, maintenance and real estate businesses.”

The transaction, which is subject to certain regulatory approvals, is expected to close at the end of September. Until then, the parties will continue to operate as separate, independent companies.