An aircraft maintenance company stationed at the Chattanooga Airport will expand its footprint and add 200 skilled jobs over the next five years.
West Star Aviation specializes in the repair and maintenance of air frames, windows and engines. It also takes on major modifications, avionics installation and interior refurbishments for customers.
Wednesday afternoon, the Illinois-based company broke ground on a project that will bring its square footage at Lovell Field to about 400,000. Officials expect work to wrap up in February 2027.
(READ MORE: West Star Aviation in Chattanooga adding 200 jobs, investing $32 million)
Crews will construct a 40,000-square-foot hangar and a 15,000-square-foot shop and office building, which will include customer offices and climate-controlled storage to safeguard clients’ property when it’s removed from the aircraft.