West Star Aviation announces major expansion and consolidation plans for 2013

West Star Aviation reported plans to invest roughly $15m this year on facilities in Grand Junction, CO (GJT), East Alton, IL (ALN), and Columbia, SC (CAE). In Grand Junction, CO, a new 150’ x 300’ state-of-the-art downdraft paint facility will be added, opening in summer 2014. This further enhances West Star Grand Junction’s stature as one of the nation’s premier paint facilities. A maintenance facility and shop will also be added by July 2013, bringing West Star Grand Junction’s total square feet under roof from 280,000 to more than 360,000 with service provided by approximately 400 employees.In East Alton, IL, ground will be broken in the third quarter of 2013 on a new maintenance facility totaling 47,000 ft² in addition to opening a 14,000 ft² wood shop and a 6,000 ft² accessory repairs shop third quarter 2013. This will bring the Alton facilities from 250,000 to 317,300 ft² with approximately 300 employees.The facility in Columbia, SC, is poised for added capabilities with the addition of 10,000 ft² of maintenance facilities.West Star’s location in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, MO (SUS) will continue to provide avionics and line service, with other services moving across the river to East Alton. The King Air, Beechjet, Premier and Hawker ASC designation will transfer to ALN. The result: all Beechcraft aircraft operators will now have complete one-stop convenience. To focus resources for maximum customer benefit, West Star will sell its small MRO facility in Dallas, TX (DAL). It is now under contract to Waypoint Holding. The sale will be finalized by June 1st.