United Airlines breaks ground on $33 million hangar facility at TPA
The project will create more than 40 new aircraft maintenance technician positions, with potential to add more, and 125 construction jobs.
(TAMPA, Fla.) United Airlines broke ground Wednesday, June 5, on a new, state-of-the-art maintenance hangar facility at Tampa International Airport that will enable the airline to provide service for its Boeing 737 series of aircraft while allowing the company to schedule more routine maintenance work. The new hangar building, consisting of two narrow-body bays, will provide approximately 66,000 square feet of hangar space and an additional 17,620 square feet of office and shop space.
The project has already created more than 40 new aircraft maintenance technician positions and will bring 125 new construction jobs. The project is currently slated to be completed by the second quarter of 2020. The new hangar facility will incorporate LEED and Florida Green Building Coalition sustainable design elements including increased energy efficiency, reduced water consumption, light pollution reduction and improved indoor air quality.
“Our continued investment emphasizes our commitment to our customers in Tampa and throughout our worldwide network. This modern, world-class facility is expected to create more than 125 jobs in Tampa during the construction process in addition to the more than 40 new United employees,” said Don Wright, vice president of maintenance operations at United. “This new facility will enable us to schedule more routine line maintenance work in Tampa, which in turn allows our hubs to focus more on keeping airplanes in service to improve reliability.”
Wright and several United employees joined Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa International CEO Joe Lopano, Aviation Authority Chairman Robert Watkins, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation CEO and other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony held inside TPA's Main Terminal to kick off the project.
“This project is a huge win for Tampa and further evidence that our city can support the operations of some of the world’s largest corporations,” Mayor Castor said. “Tampa’s business advantages, including its strong public-private partnerships, access to a high-quality workforce, and a high quality of life for employees to enjoy, helped solidify United’s expansion at TPA.”
United, which launches this month a second daily frequency between TPA and San Francisco, has a longstanding relationship with Tampa International Airport and worked closely in creating plans for the project with the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida. The Tampa site offers a number of advantages, United officials said, including access to high-quality workforces, proximity to existing infrastructure at TPA, and a high quality of life for residents and employees.
“United Airlines has been one of Tampa International Airport’s strongest airline partners for many years, and this project shows a huge commitment to the Tampa Bay region,” Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said. “We’re proud to see United not only building a state-of-the-art facility on our property but bringing high-skilled jobs and economic impact to the area for many years to come.”
Added Les Miller, Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and Aviation Authority Board member: “We’re grateful for United’s continued investment in Hillsborough County and the addition of dozens of new high-wage jobs for our residents.”
United tapped The Haskell Company to be the design-build contractor for the project. United is also investing in additional maintenance facilities at key airports around the country, including a Technical Operations Center at Los Angeles International Airport and continuing construction on a technical operations center at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
