The decision to build the 80,000-square-foot hangar was made in 2007 after concerns that American could transfer its maintenance work elsewhere if a suitable facility wasn't available in Tulsa.
The state of Oklahoma is supplying $5.7 million in funding from its Opportunity Fund, which contains surplus money for job creation, to pay for over half of the hangar project. The city of Tulsa is contributing an additional $4.3 million for construction.
American Airlines said the new hangar will expand maintenance capacity for the airline’s 600-aircraft fleet. It will also allow other U.S. and foreign airlines to outsource more heavy maintenance to American.
American employs nearly 7,000 people in Tulsa, with most of the work force at its Maintenance & Engineering Center, the largest aircraft maintenance base in the world.
“American Airlines is the largest private employer in the state,” said Carmine Romano, senior vice president of maintenance and engineering for the airline. “American Airlines is the only U.S. airline that remains committed to keeping aircraft maintenance in house from engines, landing gears, aircraft overhauls and avionics components, as well as aircraft maintenance for companies around the world.”
Construction on the hangar is expected to be finished by early next year.
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