American Airlines, Massport open renovated MRO hangar

Boston – American Airlines and the Massachusetts Port Authority celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated aircraft line maintenance center at Hangar 9 at Boston Logan International Airport. The hangar will house up to three narrow body aircraft and includes administrative space. The hangar also has a state-of-the-art ground service equipment facility with four bays. The facility was updated to support maintenance operations for legacy American Airlines and legacy US Airways aircraft and equipment. 

 

“As Logan enters its 91st year, investment in maintenance is important to keep good paying blue collar jobs as a cornerstone of the airport,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “American Airlines predecessor Colonial Air Transport started flying from Boston in 1926 and the airline has been here ever since. This renovated facility will continue that long relationship for years to come.’’

 

American’s new line maintenance facility covers 73,000ft² and is located at the north end of Logan Airport. The project was also completed under Massport Sustainable Design Standards and Guidelines to ensure the construction made proper use of recycled, energy-efficient and regionally produced materials, as well as successfully met other environmental criteria.

 

Hangar 9 was originally used by Trans World Airlines, which began major service out of Boston in 1963. The hangar has been reconstructed and rebuilt, and offices have been added. Larger and higher hangar doors have also been installed, enabling safer and easier movement of aircraft in and out of the building. 

 

“We are excited to open this new facility here at Logan,” said Paul Wroble, vice president – Line Maintenance for American Airlines. 

 

At Hangar 9, technicians will be able to perform a wide-range of line maintenance tasks, ranging from routine servicing to engine changes, phase checks and more. The team will also handle the shipping and receiving of aircraft parts. 

 

American Airlines’ Tech Ops crewmembers routinely service up to 27 aircraft per night at Logan Airport alone. The full-service ground equipment maintenance shop also supports 715 pieces of ground equipment required to operate the station. 

 

Celebration of the new maintenance home at Hangar 9 will be in conjunction with Employee Appreciation Day for the American Airlines Line Maintenance team. The event will include a special presentation, facility tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with George Monahan, an American Airlines aircraft maintenance technician who recently celebrated 54 years of service with the company.

 

“George started his career with TWA at Hangar 9 and was present for the original grand opening of the facility,” said Mike Trochalakis, managing director – Northeast, Europe, Middle East and Asia Line Maintenance for American Airlines. “He has come full circle 51 years later, and we are honored to have him re-open the hangar and celebrate with us today.” 

 

American and US Airways operate about 110 daily departures from Logan Airport to 21 destinations (including seasonal service) throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Europe.