American Airlines makes plans for line maintenance at IAH
Photo copyright American Airlines
A new US$42 million-dollar line maintenance station at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is in the works for American Airlines, beginning just in time for the summer 2019 season, according to a press release from the airline.
The station, the carrier's 29th, will not only provide support for the airline's busiest months of the year but will also improve operational reliability and increase the number of available aircraft to accommodate customers.
Planned over three phases, the line maintenance station's construction will begin in May with a temporary space at IAH. During this time, aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) will be recruited.
June marks the station's second phase, which will find additional maintenance work like service checks and engine washes added to its capabilities. Other maintenance work that requires aircraft to remain at the station overnight will also be added.
The last phase will end in the first quarter of 2020, with the addition of break rooms, offices and toolbox spaces for workers.
Kevin Brickner, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations for American Airlines, commented: “With an average of 38 daily departures at IAH, there are additional opportunities for us to perform maintenance on our aircraft, ultimately enabling us to provide a stellar travel experience for our customers and team members this summer. On any given night, we have up to 10 aircraft that remain at IAH overnight, so this is a way to take advantage of our resources and invest in additional talent in order to improve our operations during one of our busiest times of the year.”
The IAH station will employ approximately 46 people, including AMTs and support personnel. The carrier's 737, A319, A320 and A321 aircraft will be serviced at this location.
