West Star Aviation has announced a significant expansion at its Chattanooga Airport campus. The project responds to increasing customer maintenance demand and is supported by the skilled teams who return aircraft to service each day. Upon completion, targeted for February 2027, the Chattanooga site will extend to approximately 400,000 ft².
The development enhances capacity and capability across two principal areas of the campus. Hangar 26 will comprise 40,000 ft² of hangar space, supported by 15,000 ft² of shop and office facilities. These will include customer offices, programme offices and climate-controlled storage to protect customer interiors and property when removed from aircraft. The expansion also incorporates an overhead crane, fall-protection systems, dedicated fire-rated aircraft document storage rooms and an upgraded customer lounge — improvements designed to strengthen safety, operational efficiency and the overall customer experience.
In addition, the project will extend the existing Hangar 27 with a new two-storey, 30,000 ft² addition. The expanded footprint will accommodate a larger Aircraft Service Department, Accessories Shop, Composites Shop and Sheet Metal Shop, bringing critical functions into closer proximity to improve workflow, communication and turnaround times.
“This is a very exciting time for West Star Aviation as we continue to grow here at Chattanooga Airport,” said Mike Ditmeyer, Vice President and General Manager, Chattanooga Location. “The site expansion strengthens our foundation to support our customers’ maintenance needs and further develop our team’s expertise. The pride, quality, and teamwork of this group are at the heart of this facility.”
The expansion is expected to create up to 200 additional skilled roles over the next five years, reinforcing West Star Aviation’s commitment to Tennessee’s workforce and the regional economy. The Chattanooga facility currently employs more than 500 team members supporting aircraft operators daily, reflecting the company’s sustained growth and long-term investment in the region.
Chattanooga remains a strategic location for West Star and for customers requiring reliable maintenance support. With convenient access across the Southeast, the East Coast and the North Central United States, the airport’s accessibility — combined with the region’s connectivity and amenities — provides a strong foundation for long-term service growth. As one of West Star Aviation’s full-service locations, Chattanooga enables customers to complete all required work in one place. From scheduled maintenance to major modifications, including avionics upgrades, interior refurbishment and paint, the team can coordinate the full scope of activity under one roof, simplifying scheduling and minimising downtime.
