Volato Shareholders Approve M2i Global Merger, Deal Set for Q2 2026 Close

*TL;DR: Volato shareholders voted 99% in favor of merging with M2i Global, paving the way for a deal expected to close by the end of Q2 2026.

Context Volato announced a merger with M2i Global last June, aiming to combine Volato’s software and data capabilities with M2i’s mining, refining and recycling expertise. The transaction will create a technology‑enabled platform focused on domestic critical‑minerals supply chains.

Key Facts - At a special meeting, 15.1 million shares—about 40% of all voting shares—were present or represented by proxy. Of those, 99% voted for the merger. - CFO Mark Heinen called the vote a “strong endorsement of the strategic rationale” for the combination and said the team will now focus on closing steps. - Under the agreement, M2i Global will merge with a wholly‑owned Volato subsidiary and emerge as the surviving entity, owned 85% by existing M2i shareholders. - The combined firm will leverage Volato’s operational execution and M2i’s critical‑minerals capabilities to serve a resilient domestic supply chain. - Volato’s remaining aviation assets, including the Vaunt empty‑leg program, are slated for sale to FlyExclusive, which will report its Q1 2026 results on May 11. - The merger is slated to close by the end of the second quarter of 2026, pending standard regulatory approvals.

What It Means The shareholder approval removes the final internal hurdle, allowing both companies to concentrate on integration and regulatory clearance. For investors, the deal signals a shift toward consolidating technology and resource extraction under one roof, potentially enhancing margins in the critical‑minerals sector. Existing M2i shareholders will control the majority of the new entity, while Volato’s shareholders will benefit from the upside of a larger, diversified platform.

The sale of Volato’s aviation assets to FlyExclusive will further streamline Volato’s focus on its core technology business and may provide cash to support the merger’s closing costs. Market participants should watch the upcoming Form 8‑K filing for the final vote tally and any conditions that could affect the timeline.

Looking ahead, the next milestone is the regulatory sign‑off expected in early Q3 2026; the combined company’s first quarterly report will offer insight into how the merged operations perform in the critical‑minerals market.