Duluth Lands Aviation Jobs With AAR Agreement

We knew Duluth was on the short list of cities that could get this opportunity.  Now we have confirmation that hiring could start as early as summer if all goes well.  Congratulations to all involved in the process and hopefully this helps create momentum in the Northland economy.

Hundreds of jet aircraft maintenance jobs could return soon to the former Northwest Airlines base in Duluth.

On Tuesday, Danny Martinez, an executive from AAR Aircraft Services, signed a letter of intent to lease the facility. He said the company could employ 225 to 250 people in Duluth if the base returns to full capacity, operating with four full lines.

Jobs at the facility will pay between $30,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on the skills required, said Martinez, vice president of AAR’s technical service and maintenance repair and overhaul — MRO — group.

Terms of a lease agreement with the Duluth Economic Development Authority still need to be reached, but Martinez said that if all goes smoothly and his company is successful in lining up additional business, it could start hiring in Duluth this summer.

Mayor Don Ness referred to AAR as a “world-class company” and said: “They’re an industry leader, and they’re exactly the type of operator we wanted to bring to Duluth.”

via Duluth lands aviation jobs | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota.