Aug. 08--VICTORVILLE -- The City Council has approved an agreement between Southern California Logistics Airport and Boeing Co. that will allow the aircraft manufacturer to centralize its growing operations at SCLA -- including Boeing's "Aircraft on Ground" services.
"Aircraft on Ground has been largely responsible for a lot of the aircraft services related to the delivery of aircraft," said Keith Metzler, assistant executive director of the airport authority, at Tuesday's meeting. "AOG is also involved in expanding its presence and market share in the maintenance, repair and overhaul market for aircraft."
Boeing plans to continue to conduct new aircraft testing, similar to its recent 787 Dreamliner flight tests, and support FAA Certification activities at SCLA, according to a news release from the Airport Authority.
"This agreement allows SCLA to better assist Boeing in satisfying the increased global demand for its aircraft," said Victorville Mayor Jim Cox, who also serves as chairman of the SCLA board. "It also establishes a more committed Boeing presence and creates local jobs, which aligns with our long-term vision for SCLA."
Boeing, which has operated at SCLA since 2003 as Boeing Capital, Boeing Hummingbird and AOG, will receive an initial three-year lease with three options to renew as basic terms of the agreement, the statement said.
The agreement helps Boeing provide its international customers with expanded aircraft transition and modification services, custom equipment installation on new aircraft and major structural repairs on current airline fleets, according to the release.
As a part of the approved transaction with the airport, Boeing will lease one of SCLA's newer wide-body hangars that is equipped with 90,727 square feet of hangar space as well as 10,279 square feet of office space.
"It's the largest hangar out there," Metzler said. "In fact, it's large enough to accommodate a large Airbus."
Metzler said the hangar element is being subdivided to be specifically leased to Boeing, which may assist with its capital operations.
The transaction will also allow Boeing to work strategically with one of its global suppliers, Pacific Aerospace Resources and Technology, because PART is currently located in an adjacent wide-body hangar.
"This is a great day for the city of Victorville and SCLA," said Councilman Ryan McEachron at Tuesday's meeting. "This is a partnership that has been forged for some time between Boeing and the airport ... which is great news for all the jobs that will be created from this partnership."
Run by the city of Victorville, the airport is an all-commercial aviation hub and industrial park that spans 5,000 acres. The industrial park has been transformed into a multi-industry center in partnership with Stirling Capital.
Jim E. Winburn can be reached at [email protected] or at 760-955-5368.
Copyright 2013 - Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
