SkyWest and Gulfstream Expand Aviation Facilities

SkyWest and Gulfstream Expand Aviation Facilities

SkyWest Airlines Establishes New Maintenance Base in Shreveport

SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional carrier in the United States, has announced the establishment of a new maintenance base at Shreveport Regional Airport. This facility will support SkyWest’s fleet of nearly 500 regional aircraft and is expected to create approximately 150 direct jobs, offering an average annual salary of $70,000—significantly higher than the local average by about 27%. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) projects that the initiative will generate an additional 375 indirect jobs, potentially bringing a total of 525 new positions to northwest Louisiana.

Joe Sigg, SkyWest’s Vice President of Maintenance, expressed enthusiasm about the new base, emphasizing the company’s commitment to expanding its team of skilled technicians to maintain its regional aircraft fleet. The announcement has been met with strong support from state and local officials, who highlighted the economic benefits and the region’s skilled workforce. Governor Jeff Landry described the decision as a testament to a collaborative government approach focused on prioritizing local economies. LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois noted that SkyWest aligns with the state’s strategic vision to foster a robust and innovative economy in the Southeast.

The Shreveport facility will become SkyWest’s 13th maintenance base and is slated to be operational by the second half of 2025. Industry analysts have pointed out that this expansion occurs amid ongoing challenges in pilot retention and staffing, which could affect operational capacity. Nevertheless, SkyWest continues to receive positive media attention, particularly when compared to competitors such as Alaska Air Group.

Gulfstream Aerospace Expands Operations in St. Louis

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has completed a significant expansion of its aircraft completions operations at St. Louis Downtown Airport. The new facility, which was announced in 2023 and officially opened this week, enables full interior outfitting of aircraft at the Missouri site. This expansion represents an investment exceeding $30 million and complements Gulfstream’s existing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility, which has been operational since 2017.

Mark Burns, President of Gulfstream, described the expansion as part of the company’s broader growth strategy aimed at supporting the production of its industry-leading fleet. The enhanced facility positions Gulfstream to meet increasing global demand for its next-generation aircraft by bolstering completions capabilities.

Currently, Gulfstream employs over 675 people in St. Louis, operating across more than 645,000 square feet of facility space. The company is actively recruiting a diverse range of professionals, from skilled craftsmen to engineers, to support its expanding operations. This development is expected to attract significant market attention and may prompt competitive responses from other players in the aviation industry.

Both SkyWest and Gulfstream’s expansions highlight the dynamic growth and competitive pressures within the U.S. aviation sector, as companies invest heavily in infrastructure and workforce development to address evolving industry demands.