flyExclusive Delays Jet.AI Aviation Business Takeover to April 2026
US private aviation operator flyExclusive has agreed with Jet.AI to further extend the deadline for completing the acquisition of Jet.AI’s aviation business, pushing the target date to April 30, 2026. The transaction, initially announced in February 2025, was originally expected to close in the second quarter of that year but has since been delayed multiple times.
flyExclusive confirmed that the revised timeline reflects ongoing discussions between the two companies as they continue to work through regulatory, financing, and structural aspects of the deal. The latest extension underscores the complexity of combining Jet.AI’s aviation operations with flyExclusive’s existing charter and fleet management platform in a volatile private aviation market.
The proposed acquisition is intended to bring Jet.AI’s aircraft operations, charter activities, and related assets under flyExclusive’s control, while allowing Jet.AI to sharpen its focus on aviation software, artificial intelligence, and data-driven technology solutions. Jet.AI has increasingly positioned itself as a technology-led aviation company, developing AI-powered tools for pricing, scheduling, and operational optimisation across the business aviation sector.
For flyExclusive, the acquisition forms part of a broader growth strategy aimed at expanding fleet scale, enhancing network density, and strengthening its position in the competitive US private jet charter market. Based at Kinston Regional Jetport, flyExclusive operates a large and diverse fleet of business jets and has pursued a mix of organic growth and acquisitions in recent years.
The repeated delays to the Jet.AI transaction highlight the challenging environment facing private aviation operators since the post-pandemic surge in demand began to normalise. Rising interest rates, tighter financing conditions, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to longer deal timelines and greater caution among investors and operators alike.
Despite the postponements, both companies have reiterated their commitment to completing the transaction. flyExclusive and Jet.AI said they continue to see strategic value in the combination, particularly in integrating operational scale with advanced digital and AI-driven capabilities. However, neither party disclosed whether any terms of the deal, including valuation or structure, have been amended as part of the latest extension.
If completed, the acquisition would allow flyExclusive to absorb Jet.AI’s aviation business while enabling Jet.AI to accelerate development of its technology platform without the capital intensity of aircraft ownership and charter operations. Until the transaction closes, both companies will continue to operate independently.
The new April 2026 deadline provides additional breathing room but also places renewed focus on execution. With private aviation demand stabilising and competition intensifying, the eventual outcome of the flyExclusive–Jet.AI deal will be closely watched as a test case for consolidation between operational charter companies and aviation technology specialists.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com