Airline to Add South Bend Jobs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSkyWest Airlines has announced plans to open a maintenance center at South Bend Airport. The company says the facility will begin operations in a matter of months and create 40 jobs.
September 10, 2013
News Release
South Bend, Ind. — SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW), has announced it will open a maintenance facility at South Bend Airport (SBN). The facility will begin operations in the coming months in an existing hangar at SBN.
Of the 40 positions created by the facility, 16 of these are expected to be local hires. Positions include parts supply control, custodial and a facility maintenance manager. The additional positions will be FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics (A&P Mechanics).
SkyWest executives worked in conjunction with Atlantic Aviation and the St. Joseph County Airport Authority to bring the facility to SBN. “South Bend is a good fit for the maintenance needs of our current fleet,” said Mike Gibson, SkyWest Airlines Vice President – Maintenance. “With daily overnights and its proximity to other SkyWest hubs, positioning a new maintenance base at SBN will allow us to continue an efficient and effective maintenance operation.”
“This announcement is not only exciting for the Airport, but more importantly, brings 40 new jobs to our region,” said Mike Daigle, SBN’s Executive Director. “These 40 jobs reflect a nearly 10% increase in the number of jobs on airport property. When SkyWest is fully operational, the total economic impact of the South Bend Airport on the region will grow from $1.7 to $1.86 billion. The Authority is pleased to be working with two great partners – Atlantic Aviation and SkyWest – on this new deal.”
South Bend will become the ninth maintenance base for the airline, in addition to facilities in Chicago, Colorado Springs, Fresno, Milwaukee, Nashville, Palm Springs, Salt Lake City and Tucson. SkyWest will perform routine maintenance and repairs, primarily on the Bombardier-manufactured CRJ200 aircraft, each night at the 46,000-square-foot SBN facility.
About SkyWest Airlines
As a leading air service provider offering global access to millions of people each month, SkyWest partners with the world’s largest network carriers including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines and US Airways. With a fleet of 330 aircraft, SkyWest’s more than 10,000 aviation professionals operate more than 1,900 flights each day to 175 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest is known for its industry-leading workforce, exceptional leadership team, and continued solid operational and economic performance. The airline is headquartered in St. George, Utah. Visit www.skywest.com for more information and follow @SkyWestAirlines on Twitter.
About the South Bend Airport
South Bend Airport's three air carriers provide nonstop flights to nine cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections world-wide. South Bend Airport’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air, rail and bus passengers each year. According to the 2012 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, the South Bend Airport's total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $1.7 billion.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN) and Twitter (@SBNairport) and stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the Michiana region.
Source: South Bend Airport