AAR breaks ground on MRO facility expansion in Oklahoma

Apr 8, 2024 - 8:45 am

AAR, a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has broken ground on the expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Oklahoma City.

More than 150 representatives from AAR, Alaska Airlines, state and local government, and partner organisations supporting the efforts gathered to celebrate groundbreaking on AAR’s new three-bay facility that is being constructed adjacent to the company’s existing facility at Will Rogers World Airport.

The new facility has been designed to provide AAR an additional 80,000+ square feet of hangar and warehouse space and to accommodate all 737 variants, including the 737-10. AAR’s growth in Oklahoma City supports a recently expanded maintenance commitment from Alaska Airlines, a valued customer of AAR for more than 20 years. The new airframe MRO facility is expected to be operational in January of 2026.

Considerable funding for the project was made possible through a grant secured by Oklahoma legislators, with the balance expected to be funded through rent concessions from the airport.

John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO, said: “[The] groundbreaking has been made possible thanks to collaborative efforts across AAR and Alaska Airlines, partnerships with Oklahoma City Airport Trust, and state and local representatives who are passionate about expanding aviation in Oklahoma.

“We are especially excited about creating 200 additional full-time careers with AAR, which we expect to fill through local technical schools and workforce development partners who create opportunities though aviation-centric programming, such as Choose Aerospace.”

“The Oklahoma City Airport Trust is excited to partner with AAR to expand its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operation at Will Rogers World Airport. This expansion of AAR’s MRO operation provides more hangar capacity at OKC, along with more aviation jobs for our community,” said Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City’s Director of Airports.

“This groundbreaking isn’t just about constructing a hangar. It’s about cultivating an excellent experience for all involved. JE Dunn is honoured to bring our construction expertise and leadership and partner with The Oklahoma City Airport Trust (OCAT) to support the business growth happening in our city,” said Jason Bishop, JE Dunn’s Vice President – Oklahoma City, who is leading the construction effort.
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