FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines was awarded $22 million today from the State of Oklahoma’s Business Expansion Incentive Program. The funds, to be received over the course of three years, will be used to further grow and improve the airline’s maintenance base and engine repair and overhaul facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tech Ops – Tulsa). With this investment, the airline has announced more than $400 million in enhancements at the maintenance base over the last three years.
“We graciously thank Governor Stitt, Lieutenant Governor 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.”
The funds are in addition to American’s recent $31.6 million capital investment in the engine shop to modernize machinery and an ongoing multi-million dollar improvement project at Tech Ops – Tulsa.
“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.”
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, Tech Ops – Tulsa includes approximately 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 currently employed at the base and around 400 of the airline’s aircraft visit the facility annually.
Additional investment leads to lucrative new career opportunities
As a direct result of these new investments, the airline is hiring more than 300 new team members at Tech Ops – Tulsa to boost existing engine repair and overhaul work. Positions include licensed airframe and powerplant mechanics, engineers, machinists, welders, maintenance planners and more, with total annual compensation packages of nearly $120,000. Interested candidates can learn more about working at American, discover open positions and apply online at jobs.aa.com.