Dolphin Aviation in Sarasota, changes hands and has new ownership

Dolphin Aviation in Sarasota, changes hands and has new ownership

Sarasota, FL – March 7, 2023

Dolphin Aviation, Inc. owner Shannon Ciaravella today announced that Dolphin Aviation, Inc. has changed hands, with Hawthorne Global acquiring the Dolphin Aviation FBO lease and several businesses from the Dolphin Aviation business portfolio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dolphin Aviation was founded by Ron Ciaravella in 1969 and has been conducting business continuously ever since at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Dolphin Aviation is an all-round Aviation Services company with a 24-hour facility providing a wide range of services to the owners and operators of private aircraft, their passengers, and crew members. The aircraft vary in size from small single engine propeller planes to airline-size aircraft. At the time of the transaction, 75 aircraft were permanently based at Dolphin’s 25-acre facility.

Mr. Ciaravella passed away July 19, 2021. He had a long history of service to the community, sharing his business acumen, passion and resources with many local organizations, including Mote Marine. Every summer over the past 21 years Dolphin Aviation awarded financial scholarships to local graduating high school students to support their collegiate endeavors. Dolphin presented over 100 scholarships over the course of the program.

“I am grateful to have a company with Hawthorne Global’s reputation take over the business Ron spent so much of his life building,” Ms. Ciaravella said. “They have the resources and expertise to continue to advance Sarasota as the most private aviation-friendly destination in our region.”

Ron Ciaravella had been with Dolphin Aviation for over 50 years, starting as a flight instructor and then purchasing Dolphin Aviation in 1979. Since then, Ron had grown Dolphin Aviation’s size, scope and services - nearly tripling total acreage from nine to twenty-five acres, multiplying hanger space by a factor of five and quadrupling the total number of employees. Dolphin Aviation is an exciting aviation nexus hosting many flight-related businesses including FAA-approved flight schools; aircraft sales companies; a world-class avionics facility; aircraft maintenance and repair shops; helicopter companies and aircraft storage for private and corporate aircraft.

About Dolphin Aviation

Dolphin Aviation is an all-round Aviation Services company. At our 24-hour general aviation facility we provide a wide range of services to the owners and operators of general aviation aircraft, their passengers and their crew members. The aircraft vary in size from small privately owned single engine propeller planes to large business jet aircraft and even airline size aircraft. About 75 aircraft are permanently based at our facility which comprises over 25 acres. Dolphin Aviation, 8191 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243  http://dolphinaviation.com/

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services, whose roots go back to its first FBO in 1932, is a world class aviation services company and leader in general aviation services and airport management. With the addition of Sarasota, FL (KSRQ), Hawthorne Global now operates 11 FBO’s, located in Atlanta, GA (KRYY), Chicago, IL (KPWK, Cody, WY (KCOD), Eau Claire, WI (KEAU), Ennis- Big Sky, MT (KEKS), Hamilton, MT (KHRF), Long Island, NY (KISP), Sioux City, IA (KSUX), Tuscaloosa, AL (KTCL), and West Yellowstone, MT (KWYS). With the backing of NOVA Infrastructure and Wafra Inc., Hawthorne has become a leading FBO acquisition and operating company committed to customer service and safety. https://www.hawthorne.aero/