AAR Joins Southwest Louisiana Officials in Celebrating Aviation Day

WOOD DALE, Illinois, August 19, 2013 – AAR (NYSE: AIR) has been invited to participate in an Aviation Day event today in Lake Charles, Louisiana, near the Chennault International Airport, the site of a planned new aircraft maintenance facility recently announced by AAR.

Danny Martinez, Vice President of Technical Services, AAR Aviation Services Group, will be on hand as a coalition of Southwest Louisiana airports convene to celebrate aviation history and Southwest Louisiana’s position as a growing center of aviation excellence. The event begins with a press conference at 10 a.m. at the newly named AAR Aircraft Services (formerly Aeroframe) administration building, 1945 Merganser Street, Lake Charles, La.

“I am honored to join officials from Southwest Louisiana to celebrate aviation's growing impact on the region,” said Martinez. “AAR looks forward to the immediate future as we continue to develop and deepen relationships in the state. We are also excited about the long-term prospects for this business and our partnerships in Louisiana.”
The 520,000-square-foot MRO facility at Chennault will be the sixth for AAR, the largest independent MRO provider in North America. AAR expects to hire approximately 250 workers initially and anticipates an additional 500 by 2017.

Also attending the celebration will be officials from Lake Charles Regional Airport, the City of DeQuincy, Southland Executive Airport, Northrop Grumman and SOWELA Technical Community College.

A welcome reception for AAR Aircraft Services is planned following the event, according to Chennault Airport officials.

“We are thrilled to have AAR as a new tenant at Chennault,” said Randy Robb, executive director of Chennault International Airport. “They will be a significant and welcome addition to the aviation industry in our region. AAR will provide up to 750 jobs and will help spur our economy forward.”

About AAR
AAR is a global aerospace and defense contractor that employs more than 6,000 people in 17 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial, government and defense customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Technology Products. AAR’s services include inventory management and parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and expeditionary airlift. AAR’s products include cargo systems and containers; mobility systems and shelters; advanced aerostructures; and command and control systems. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.