Volato Group to merge with Alignment Engine in $500M AI infrastructure deal

Volato Group (NYSE American: SOAR) has signed a definitive agreement to merge with Alignment Engine, an Ohio-based AI infrastructure company, in an all-stock transaction valuing Alignment Engine at approximately $500 million. The deal marks a significant strategic pivot for Volato, transitioning the company from aviation-focused AI software and private aviation services toward data centers, high-performance computing, and AI infrastructure.

The merger centers on Alignment Engine’s industrial campus in Ohio, which currently has 154 megawatts of available power with a total planned capacity of 480 megawatts. This infrastructure is intended to support high-density computing workloads, including GPU compute and networking for AI training and inference.

Following the merger, Alignment Engine CEO Chris Ensey will serve as the top executive of the combined company. This move follows Volato’s recent restructuring, which included exiting its fractional and jet card programs through an agreement with FlyExclusive.