Solairus closes Clay Lacy aircraft management acquisition

Clay Lacy will continue to run its FBOs, maintenance and real estate divisions.

Solairus has officially bought Clay Lacy’s aircraft management and charter business. More than 135 Clay Lacy owners have confirmed that will move their aircraft to Solairus. The second tranche of owners will close on November 1.

In a note to employees Dan Drohan, CEO and founder of Solairus, wrote: Good Morning Solairaverse-

This morning, we officially closed the Clay Lacy transaction, marking a new and important moment for Solairus and for our small part of the broader aviation industry. In a very short period of time, people across both the “push” and “pull” sides of this transaction have done an incredible amount of work to bring us here. I am deeply proud to be a small part of this journey, and grateful for the people around me who have worked so hard to make it happen while simultaneously “doing their day jobs”… Like ducks gliding across the surface, paddling furiously beneath! 

As a reminder, the transition was structured in two tranches of account start-ups, based on when we received client assignments: the first begins today, October 1, and the second begins November 1. Today’s closing is a major step in a longer integration, and November 1 will be our next important milestone. There is so much more work ahead, but we can take real pride in being part of what I believe is the most significant transactional event in our part of the industry in a long time, if not ever.

The more than 135 consent assignments we have received from Clay Lacy clients are a remarkable testament to the relationships those clients built with Clay Lacy and its team and to their confidence in and endorsement of the road ahead. We are delighted to also be welcoming talented colleagues whose experience and commitment will make our team stronger.

I recognise that a transition of this size brings change and uncertainty, and asks a great deal of everyone involved. It has presented both of those in spades already. To our new Clay Lacy colleagues: thank you for the trust you are placing in us. We will work to bring our teams together with respect, care and openness. To the Solairus team, THANK YOU for keeping your eyes on the ball throughout this process. 

I cannot emphasise enough that there is still much work to do. The road ahead will sometimes be difficult. This is a business of spinning plates, and from time to time, one will hit the floor. When that happens, we will work together as one team to understand why, pick up the broken pieces and get another plate spinning. That is how we have operated since Solairus began, and it is how we will continue: helping one another, staying focused on safety and putting our clients first. We now have a bigger, broader and more capable team to do that work together.

Thank you for the effort, passion and positive attitude you have brought to this transition. I am proud to be on this journey with you, and confident in what we can build together.

ONWARD AND UPWARD, TOGETHER!!!