AAR Breaks Ground on New MRO Facility on Oklahoma City

In a significant development for the aviation MRO industry, AAR Corporation has commenced the expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Oklahoma City. The groundbreaking ceremony, held Monday morning, was attended by over 150 representatives from AAR, Alaska Airlines, state and local government, and partner organizations. The new three-bay facility, adjacent to AAR's existing site at Will Rogers World Airport, is set to provide an additional 80,000+ square feet of hangar and warehouse space.

Student Pilot will be charged with Interference with a Flight Crew

In a breach of aviation security, a 19-year-old student pilot is now facing federal charges after multiple attempts to enter the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight. The incident, which took place on March 3rd during Flight 322 from SAN to IAD. Nathan Jones, the accused, left his seat several times during the flight, making three separate efforts to access the cockpit door. His actions prompted an immediate response from the flight crew, who, with the assistance of off-duty law enforcement officers, restrained Jones using flex cuffs. To further secure the cockpit, flight attendants used a beverage cart to barricade the entry.

Spirit to Delay Airbus Deliveries and Furlough 260 Pilots

In a move to enhance its financial stability, Spirit Airlines announced on Monday its decision to defer the delivery of new Airbus aircraft and furlough approximately 260 pilots. The budget airline, headquartered in Miramar, Florida, is taking these measures as part of its strategy to boost liquidity amidst challenging times. Spirit's CEO, Ted Christie, emphasized the necessity of these actions for the airline's future, stating, "These steps aren't ones we want to take but they're necessary to ensure a strong and profitable future for Spirit." The airline will postpone the delivery of all Airbus planes scheduled for the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026, pushing the deliveries to 2030 and 2031.