Citing an aim to keep pace with customer demand, West Star is expanding its sites in East Alton, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colordo; and Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA).
Plans for the East Alton facility include a new 40,000ft² (3,716m²) general use hangar and an additional 48,000ft² (4,459m²) dedicated paint shop and hangar that when combined with existing paint facilities, will significantly increase paint capacity at the location. These additions will bring the East Alton operational footprint to over 400,000ft² (37,161m²) of office, hangar and shop space, with over 200,000ft² (18,581m²) of ramp space.
The Grand Junction facility is planning a new 40,000ft² (3,716m²) hangar with an additional 35,000ft² (3,252m²) of shop and office space. The shop space will include a larger interior shop, a complete composite shop and tool room. The new facility will be focused on the expansion of large aircraft capability and is slated to be complete in 2023. The expansion would increase the Grand Junction site’s operational footprint from 304,000ft² (28,243m²) of office, shop and hangar space to approximately 379,000ft² (35,210m²).
The Chattanooga facility has a new hangar planned that will consist of 40,000ft² (3,716m²) of active hangar space and an additional 17,000ft² (1,579m²) of shop and support space. The expansion plans also include the lease of an existing 20,000ft² (1,858m²) hangar on the field that will be leased from the airport.
“West Star has been one of the fastest growing business MROs for past 20 years,” said Jim Rankin, West Star Aviation’s CEO. “This expansion plan is our most aggressive investment in our future to date. We are committed to implementing sustainable growth that benefits both our customers and our employees. I’m very proud of West Star’s 1,500 employees who have continued to provide our unique, industry-leading experience to our customers even during these recent dynamic times. These expansion projects will ensure West Star Aviation will be well positioned to meet customer needs for the next five years and beyond.”
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