AAR Celebrates Delivery of 500th Aircraft to Alaska Airlines

June 23, 2015
For 12 years, AAR has performed aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including heavy checks and drop-ins, component repair and management, on Alaska’s fleet of classic Boeing 737s and 737NG narrow-body aircraft.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, June 23, 2015 – AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces that it has reached a maintenance milestone -- delivery of the 500th aircraft to longtime customer Alaska Airlines. For 12 years, AAR has performed aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including heavy checks and drop-ins, component repair and management, on Alaska’s fleet of classic Boeing 737s and 737NG narrow-body aircraft.

Most of the work has been performed at AAR’s MRO facility in Oklahoma City that has a service capacity ranging from 6 to 12 lines of maintenance, and performs approximately 1 million man hours a year at the facility; nearly 300,000 with Alaska Airlines. AAR provides two continuous lines of overhaul maintenance for Alaska and additionally handles between 50 and 75 drop-in visits annually for the airline.

AAR recently celebrated the milestone with its employees and Alaska Airlines executives at a reception at the 300,000-square-foot Oklahoma facility.

“We value the relationship and the trust that Alaska Airlines has placed in AAR to help ensure the safe and efficient operation of its fleet,” said Dany Kleiman, AAR Group Vice President – Repair and Engineering. “A special thanks goes to our employees. We owe this achievement to their dedication and leadership. We look forward to partnering with Alaska Airlines well into the future.”

AAR recently exercised the first of two option years under a five-year contract signed with Alaska Airlines in 2012. This year, AAR celebrates 60 years of excellence serving the aviation aftermarket and was named by ATE&M as the Best Airframe MRO Provider worldwide.

The Oklahoma MRO, AAR’s first aircraft repair station established in 1972, is one of six comprising AAR’s 1MRO Network of aircraft repair stations in North America. A seventh being designed to service next-generation aircraft is due to open next year in Rockford, Ill.  The AAR “1MRO” approach leverages diverse maintenance, engineering and technical capabilities to offer airlines customized, integrated services that lower costs, increase asset availability and ensure high levels of quality, safety and service.

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense company that employs more than 5,000 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial, government and defense customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR’s Aviation Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and component repair. AAR’s Expeditionary Services include airlift operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com>.