PRESS RELEASE
EAST ALTON, IL . West Star Aviation is proud to announce the completion of its new hangar at the East Alton facility, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, 2024. This milestone follows the groundbreaking in June of 2023 and marks a significant investment in West Star Aviation’s commitment to growth and excellence.
The new hangar, officially named Hangar 67, adds 75,700 square feet of space, including 40,000 square feet of dedicated hangar space and 35,700 square feet of support space for the company’s advanced modification capabilities.
In addition to providing a significant increase in available hangar space, the expansion enhances West Star’s capacity for interior, avionics, and sheet metal services, while enabling the implementation of cutting-edge production technologies, including a new state-of-the-art design center.
“The completion of Hangar 67 represents another significant moment in West Star Aviation’s vision for the future,” said Stephen Maiden, CEO of West Star Aviation. “This new facility not only enhances our service capabilities but also exemplifies our ongoing commitment to growth and innovation to ensure we are prepared to meet the needs of our valued customers.”
The $20 million investment in the facility in East Alton includes state-of-the-art equipment and tooling, further enhancing West Star Aviation’s capabilities. The expansion is expected to create 60-80 new jobs, contributing to the economic development of the local community.
“This expansion is a testament to the incredible growth we’ve experienced at our East Alton facility,” said Brian Bauwens, General Manager of the East Alton facility. “The added capacity and advanced resources will have a tremendous impact on our operations and our ability to serve our customers more efficiently.”
West Star Aviation worked closely with Contegra Construction and the St. Louis Regional Airport throughout the project. Danny Adams, Airport Director for ALN, highlighted the importance of the partnership between West Star Aviation and the airport.
“Our longstanding partnership with West Star Aviation has been a driving force in the continued development of the St. Louis Regional Airport,” said Adams. “We share in West Star Aviation’s commitment toward excellence, and are privileged that they have chosen this location to grow their legacy of providing industry-leading service,” Adams continued.
In conjunction with West Star’s hangar expansion, the St. Louis Regional Airport also completed a 56,000 square foot apron expansion. With support from the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Aeronautics, this apron expansion further enhances the airport’s capabilities and aligns with West Star’s growth, ensuring continued excellence in service and operations.
Established in 1947 as a small aviation company, West Star Aviation has evolved over the past 77 years into the largest MRO in the country, with more than 3,000 employees and locations nationwide. The opening of the new hangar is a testament to our strategic growth, which has strengthened the company’s position as a leader in maintenance, repair, and overhaul. This growth is powered by a dedicated team whose extensive experience and specialized skills continue to drive success, ensuring that West Star remains at the forefront of the industry. With the completion of the new hangar, West Star’s network encompasses 1.5 million square feet of hangar space across the US.
About West Star Aviation
With more than 77 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, West Star offers comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, MO; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Chicago, and West Palm Beach. The company’s extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide.