Gateway USA, LLC
Founded in 2003 by aviation pioneers Clay Lacy and Joe Clark, Gateway operated as a premier Fixed-base Operator (FBO) at Boeing Field in Seattle, WA — consistently ranked as a top service provider in the Northwestern United States by both Pilot’s Choice Awards and Aviation International News.
The owners of Gateway engaged RA Capital Advisors to help explore strategic alternatives and advise on the best path to realize their desired outcome. During the process, Gateway generated significant interest from multiple parties. RA Capital executed the sale process to preserve confidentiality while minimizing disruptions to the business. This approach helped lead the transaction to a successful close in less than five months after first reaching out to potential acquirors.
The transaction exceeded the expectations of the owners while providing Modern Aviation an expansion opportunity within a highly attractive, growing general aviation market. The acquisition marked the third FBO acquisition closed in the past 12 months for Modern Aviation, a platform backed by Tiger Infrastructure Partners.
