American Airlines gets $22M state incentive, bringing more than new 300 jobs to Tulsa maintenance base
The airline has announced more than $400M in upgrades to the Tulsa facility over the past three years.
FORT WORTH, Texas – A $22 million award from the State of Oklahoma’s Business Expansion Incentive Program will allow American Airlines to add more than 300 jobs to its maintenance base and engine repair and overhaul facility in Tulsa (Tech Ops-Tulsa), officials announced Wednesday.
With the investment, the airline has announced more than $400 million in enhancements to the maintenance base over the last three years.
“We graciously thank Governor (Kevin) Stitt, Lieutenant Governor (Matt) Pinnell and the State of Oklahoma Department of Commerce for recognizing the important work our team does and appreciate their investment in the future of our Tulsa maintenance base,” said Greg Emerson, American’s Vice President of Base Maintenance and Facilities. “American has a long, rich history in Oklahoma and this investment in our Tech Ops-Tulsa facility and team members ensures a bright future for years to come. We’re also eager to add more than 300 new team members to our team in high-paying jobs as a result of this investment, further bolstering our presence in the Tulsa community.”
To be received over three years, the funds announced Wednesday supplement American’s recent $31.6 million capital investment in the engine shop to modernize machinery and support an ongoing, multi-million dollar improvement project at the maintenance base.
“We at the Tulsa Regional Chamber applaud the state’s $22 million award from the state’s Business Expansion Incentive Program to American Airlines and its maintenance base in Tulsa,” Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal said. “American Airlines has been essential to Tulsa’s economy since the mid-1940s, providing employment to generations of people in this region. This investment, which is earmarked for ongoing improvements and hundreds of additional jobs, again illustrates American Airlines’ long-term commitment to economic development in this city and state.”
Tech Ops-Tulsa has served as the principal location for airframe and engine maintenance and overhauls for American’s aircraft since 1946 and is the largest commercial aviation maintenance base in the world. Located on 246 acres of land at the Tulsa International Airport, the plant includes about 3.3 million square feet of building space, six hangars with 24 aircraft bays and 22 support facility buildings. Nearly 5,000 team members are employed at the base, and more than 800 of the airline’s aircraft visit the facility annually.
“For Oklahoma’s business sector to succeed, we must support the existing companies that are right here in Oklahoma,” said Matt Pinnell, Oklahoma Lt. Governor and Secretary of Workforce and Economic Development. “Because of resources like the Business Expansion Incentive Program and the P3 Pooled Finance Program, Oklahoma companies will strengthen and grow, boosting local economies and moving our state forward.”
The 300 new workers will boost existing engine repair and overhaul work. Positions include licensed airframe and powerplant mechanics, engineers, machinists, welders and maintenance planners, with total annual compensation packages reaching near $120,000.