West Star Aviation Announces Major Expansion to Meet Customer Demands
West Star Aviation announces plans for major expansion with the construction of a new hangar at its full-service Grand Junction (GJT) maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, adding an additional 109,000 square feet of hangar, office, shop and ramp space. The project comes as the Grand Junction Airport is in the midst of a multi-year runway improvement project, an effort that enhances both the airport and West Star’s service offerings.
The project, to be designed and constructed in partnership with Tectonic Management Group, will significantly increase West Star's capacity to better serve customers and provide more space for operations as part of the company's ongoing growth. The expansion will add 40,000 square feet of hangar space to accommodate the growing demand for maintenance services, avionics installations, and interior refurbishments, along with 38,000 square feet dedicated to offices and back shop space, and an additional 31,000 square feet of ramp space.
“This expansion is an exciting milestone for us,” says Scott Sweeney, vice president and general manager of West Star’s Grand Junction site. “We’re not just building a new hangar; we’re building on the success and dedication of our team. This will allow us to continue to provide the top-tier service our customers expect, while creating new opportunities for our employees and the community.”
The construction project underscores West Star Aviation’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of its customers by increasing capacity and availability. Allen McReynolds, president and COO of West Star Aviation, says, “As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of service. The expansion at Grand Junction is not only a win for West Star, but it also supports our larger vision of being the best in the MRO industry.”
The project is expected to create between 80 and 100 new job opportunities and will further solidify West Star’s partnership with GJT Airport. Angela Padalecki, executive director of Airport Operations at Grand Junction, emphasizes the collaboration. “This expansion strengthens the relationship between the airport and West Star," she says. "We’re proud to see West Star’s growth at GJT, and the enhanced services this will bring to the airport will benefit the entire community. West Star is a pillar in our region, and their continued growth is a testament to the partnership we’ve built.”
Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), also expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are excited to see West Star Aviation advancing their expansion in Grand Junction. This achievement exemplifies the power of community collaboration between GJEP, the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development, Inc., and many other dedicated partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to West Star for their continued investment in our community. Expansions like these showcase that the Grand Junction area is not only a fantastic place to live but a thriving hub for business growth.”
Construction on the new hangar is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2025 with completion anticipated by the second quarter of 2026. To watch a rendering video, visit https://youtu.be/gKOoeC4JYAw.
For more information, visit https://www.weststaraviation.com.