Mid-Continent Aviation Services to double workforce and build new hangar at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
Wichita, Kan. – Mid-Continent Aviation Services (MCAS), a full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, announced plans today to double their workforce and expand their current footprint at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport with the construction of a new hangar. The news was shared today in Las Vegas, Nev. at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), a global industry tradeshow and supplier event.
“As a world-class MRO we are excited to expand our footprint and capabilities for our customers at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. Being located in the Air Capital of the World, the deep-rooted manufacturing skillsets of our local workforce have driven our past success – and we look forward to the next generation of growth for our team,” said Kelly Lousch, Director of MCAS.
As a FAA-approved Part 145 Repair Station, the company focuses on aircraft maintenance and support including business jet, turboprop, piston, and rotorcraft products, featuring the Hawker 4000, Hawker 800 series, and Beechcraft Premier models. MCAS also specializes in stocking and locating hard to find legacy aircraft part inventory and part solutions. MCAS is an affiliate of ICM, Inc. in Colwich, Kansas.
As part of the planned growth, the company will create 23 new jobs, growing their team to over 40.
“With more than $5.7 million in new dollars invested in Kansas and over 20 jobs to be created, Mid-Continent Aviation Services’ project is great news for Wichita’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Building on our foundation as the Air Capital of the World will help continue the record economic success our state has achieved coming out of the pandemic. I look forward to our continued partnership with Mid-Continent and the entire aviation community to bring more jobs and investment to our state.”
“This impressive venture is still more proof of Wichita’s well-deserved aerospace reputation, which has long been a driver of new business investment and jobs for Kansas. Plus, this is a prime example of tangible success in aligning our world-class assets and competitive advantage in the aerospace industry, which is a central tenet of our Framework for Growth,” Lieutenant Governor and Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland said, “My sincerest congratulations to MCAS for this impressive expansion plan that will house key maintenance operations while delivering good-paying jobs.”
Company plans include the construction of a new 31,500 SF hangar to replace an existing 15,000 SF hangar, which has already been deconstructed. The new hangar space will accommodate plans for future work and includes state-of-the-art infrastructure. It is projected the new hangar will be operational in Q1 2022. Total investment for the project exceeds $5.7M.
City of Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple congratulated the company stating, “We are thrilled about this announcement, and look forward to celebrating this continued local success story. Congratulations to MCAS on their company growth, expanding team, and forward-thinking mindset.”
“Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is a critical operations hub for our regional aviation ecosystem. Companies like MCAS, who bring expertise to MROs are helping drive our economy by providing an important service and growing jobs for our community,” said City of Wichita Councilman Jeff Blubaugh.
MCAS is attending NBAA-BACE this week alongside 17 other local companies and organizations, deemed the “Air Capital Delegation,” which is led by the Greater Wichita Partnership. During NBAA-BACE, the Air Capital Delegation markets the general aviation business opportunities, resources and world-class talent pipeline that the Greater Wichita region has to offer. The company’s news was shared to a group of aviation professionals and media today during an in-booth press conference.
“Wichita is home to one of five great aerospace clusters in the world. It was exciting to announce job growth from one of our important local companies on a national scale at NBAA today, and communicate how the Wichita region is the best place for aviation business,” said Sedgwick County Chairman Pete Meitzner.
During the onsite press event, Tammy Nolan Porazka, Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Wichita Partnership, shared insight on the MRO industry in Greater Wichita, “Growth within the MRO sector is critical to the diversification of our local aviation industry and is a key focus of the Regional Growth Plan. We were pleased to work with MCAS and community partners to grow jobs and investment, and expand our aviation ecosystem.”
The Regional Growth Plan is an economic strategy to grow the Greater Wichita region’s economy, attract new businesses and expand existing industries. It is implemented by the collective efforts of community partners within the ten-county region and is led by the Greater Wichita Partnership.
The Partnership was pleased to work with the City of Wichita, Evergy, Kansas Department of Commerce, Sedgwick County and the Wichita Airport Authority to realize this project.
