This article summarizes reporting by KSAL News.

SkyWest Airlines Plans New Maintenance Facility at Salina Regional Airport

SkyWest Airlines, a major regional carrier operating United Express flights, has announced plans to establish a new aircraft maintenance facility at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) in Kansas. According to reporting by KSAL News, the new facility is projected to be operational by early spring 2026. This development marks a significant expansion of the airline’s footprint in the region, building upon existing partnerships and a surge in local passenger demand.

The project represents a collaborative effort involving the Kansas Department of Commerce, the City of Salina, Saline County, the Salina Airport Authority (SAA), and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization. Officials indicate that the facility will focus on overnight maintenance for SkyWest’s fleet, specifically the regional jets, such as the CRJ and E175 series, utilized for United Express operations.

Operational Details and Timeline

Scope of Work

The primary function of the new base will be to perform overnight maintenance, ensuring aircraft are ready for daily schedules. While specific lease or construction details were not fully disclosed in the initial announcement, the timeline suggests a rapid integration into the airport’s existing infrastructure. Salina Regional Airport is known for its large-capacity hangars, including “Hangar 959” and “Hangar 626,” which have previously supported Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) expansions.

According to KSAL News, the facility is expected to generate “several new, high-paying jobs,” with a focus on aircraft maintenance technicians and support staff. Recruitment for positions such as “Airport Agent” and “Facility Maintenance Generalist” is reportedly already underway.

Strategic Context

This move formalizes a growing relationship between the airline and the municipality. SkyWest currently operates daily United Express flights connecting Salina to major hubs including Denver (DEN), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Houston (IAH). Data cited in the report highlights a sharp increase in demand; passenger enplanements at SLN rose by 51% year-over-year in November 2025 compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, board minutes from the Salina Airport Authority in November 2024 indicated that local MRO provider 1 Vision Aviation had already begun performing overnight work for SkyWest, with plans to service up to three aircraft nightly by spring 2025. The new facility appears to be the next logical step in this operational ramp-up.

Economic Impact and Workforce Development

Regional Economic Contribution

The aviation sector is a cornerstone of the Salina economy. A 2024 study by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, referenced in supporting reports, estimates that the Salina Regional Airport and Airport Industrial Center generate approximately $1.62 billion in total annual economic activity. The complex supports over 12,300 jobs, representing roughly 31% of all employment in Saline County.

The Education Pipeline

A critical factor in the location decision appears to be the proximity of the Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. Located adjacent to the airport, the campus recently secured $28 million in federal funding to construct a new Aerospace Education Hub. This proximity creates a direct pipeline of trained aviation mechanics and technicians who can transition immediately from education to employment at the new facility.

“SkyWest’s decision to establish a maintenance base in Salina reflects Kansas’ ability to compete and deliver for world-class aviation partners. We’ve made deliberate investments in workforce, infrastructure, and airport readiness, and this announcement shows that those efforts are paying off.”

— Joshua Jefferson, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Commerce (via KSAL News)

AirPro News Analysis

The decision by SkyWest to entrench maintenance operations in Salina underscores a broader industry trend where regional airlines are seeking to decentralize maintenance to avoid congestion at major hubs. By utilizing Salina, a “spoke” in the United Express network, SkyWest can perform essential overnight maintenance without occupying valuable hangar space at major international airports like Denver or Chicago.

Additionally, the synergy between the airport and K-State Salina offers a strategic advantage that few regional airports can match. In an industry facing a chronic shortage of qualified mechanics, positioning a maintenance base within walking distance of a federally funded aerospace education hub is a calculated move to secure a long-term labor supply.

Sources

• KSAL News
• Salina Airport Authority
• AirlineGeeks
• General Aviation News

Vietjet Marks Major Milestones with First Flight and Hangar Topping Out at Long Thanh International Airport

Vietjet Air has officially marked its presence at the new Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, achieving two significant operational milestones on December 19, 2025. According to the airline, it successfully topped out its new aircraft maintenance hangar and operated its inaugural flight to the facility, signaling a major step forward in its expansion strategy.

The events coincided with the broader “technical opening” of Long Thanh International Airport, a massive infrastructure project designed to alleviate congestion at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Vietjet’s participation highlights its intent to anchor its future long-haul and wide-body operations at this new hub.

New $100 Million Maintenance Facility

A central component of Vietjet’s announcement is the rapid progress of its new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center. The airline confirmed that the main structure of the hangar was completed in just four months, despite reports of challenging weather conditions in Southern Vietnam during the construction period.

According to official company data, the facility represents an investment of up to $100 million and covers an area of 8.4 hectares. The hangar is designed to support Vietjet’s growing fleet complexity, with the capacity to accommodate multiple aircraft configurations simultaneously.

Capacity and Construction Partners

Vietjet states that the hangar is engineered to house:

• Up to 10 narrow-body aircraft (such as the Airbus A320/A321 series) at once; or
• A mixed configuration of 6 narrow-body and 2 wide-body aircraft (such as the Airbus A330).

To ensure the facility meets international standards, Vietjet partnered with global engineering firms for the project. The design and supervision were handled by Mace (UK) and Apave (France). The airline emphasizes that this infrastructure will allow it to perform heavy maintenance (“C-checks”) in-house, reducing reliance on overseas MRO providers and improving fleet reliability.

Inaugural Flight VJ038 and Airport Readiness

Alongside the construction milestone, Vietjet operated flight VJ038, the first flight to land at the new airport infrastructure. The flight, utilizing an Airbus A321neo, departed from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) and landed at Long Thanh (LTH).

This operation was not a commercial passenger service but a ceremonial flight carrying government officials and aviation leaders to validate the airport’s technical readiness. It was part of a coordinated effort involving other national carriers to demonstrate the operational capabilities of Phase 1 of the airport project.

“The event marks a turning point in Vietjet’s development… preparing for a new stage of growth with a modern fleet and global flight network.”

, Vietjet Air statement regarding the milestone.

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While the technical opening has occurred, full commercial passenger services at Long Thanh are projected to commence in mid-2026. The government plans for the airport to eventually handle up to 100 million passengers annually upon full completion, serving as a primary gateway for long-haul international traffic.

AirPro News analysis

The completion of the hangar structure and the successful technical flight suggest a strategic pivot for Vietjet, moving from a purely low-cost regional model toward a more vertically integrated international operation. By investing $100 million in MRO capabilities, the airline is addressing one of the most significant cost centers for expanding carriers: maintenance outsourcing.

We observe that this infrastructure is specifically timed to support Vietjet’s order of 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft. Without domestic wide-body maintenance capacity, the operational costs of running long-haul routes to Australia, India, and potentially Europe would be significantly higher. This facility grants Vietjet the autonomy to manage its own technical schedule, a critical factor for maintaining on-time performance as it scales up operations at a new, unproven hub.

Furthermore, the speed of construction, topping out in four months, demonstrates the high priority the airline and its partners have placed on establishing a foothold at Long Thanh before the mid-2026 commercial launch. This early presence likely positions Vietjet to secure favorable slot allocations and operational dominance at the new airport from day one.

Sources

Sources: Vietjet Air

This article is based on an official press release from Howmet Aerospace and Stanley Black & Decker.

Howmet Aerospace to Acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing for $1.8 Billion

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM) from Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion. Announced on December 22, 2025, the deal represents a significant consolidation within the supply chain, transferring a portfolio of mission-critical fasteners and components to Howmet while allowing Stanley Black & Decker to focus on its core industrial tool businesses.

According to the official announcement, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. The acquisition price reflects a valuation multiple of approximately 13x adjusted EBITDA, accounting for expected synergies and tax benefits. Howmet Aerospace stated that the deal structure is anticipated to yield significant federal tax benefits for the company.

Financial Impact and Deal Structure

The Acquisitions is projected to bolster Howmet Aerospace’s financial standing through immediate revenue contributions and accretive earnings. In the press release, Howmet outlined that CAM is expected to generate between $485 million and $495 million in revenue for the Fiscal Year 2026. The company also projects an adjusted EBITDA margin of greater than 20 percent before synergies.

For Stanley Black & Decker, the divestiture serves a strategic financial purpose. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the $1.8 billion sale to reduce debt. This move aligns with Stanley Black & Decker’s stated goal of achieving a leverage ratio of 2.5x net debt to adjusted EBITDA.

“The divestiture allows for debt reduction and a sharper focus on its core tool and outdoor businesses,” the company noted regarding the strategic shift.

Market analysts, including those at Jefferies, have noted that the deal appears financially sensible for Howmet, potentially adding approximately 2 to 3 percent to full-year earnings per share (EPS).

Strategic Rationale

The transaction allows both companies to realign their portfolios toward their respective core competencies. For Howmet Aerospace, the acquisition of CAM is a vertical integration play designed to expand its “shipset” value, the total value of components supplied per aircraft.

Portfolio Expansion for Howmet

CAM’s product lines, which include fluid fittings, latches, and clamps, are viewed as complementary to Howmet’s existing fastener business. By integrating these components, Howmet aims to deepen its footprint in both the commercial aviation and defense sectors. The defense aspect is particularly notable, as it offers counter-cyclical stability against fluctuations in commercial Commercial-Aircraft production rates.

Simplification for Stanley Black & Decker

Conversely, Stanley Black & Decker described the sale as part of a broader Strategy to divest non-core industrial assets. By shedding its aerospace Manufacturing arm, the company plans to concentrate resources on its market-leading brands, such as DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, and BLACK+DECKER, while repairing its balance sheet through deleveraging.

Profile of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM)

Headquartered in Brea, California, CAM is a recognized Manufacturers of specialty fasteners, fittings, and engineered components for the aerospace and defense industries. The company employs approximately 1,400 people across various manufacturing sites in the United States, including locations in Berea, Ohio; Manchester, Connecticut; and Skokie, Illinois.

CAM operates several distinct brands that will now fall under the Howmet umbrella:

• Aerofit: Fluid fittings and systems for high- and low-pressure applications.
• Voss Industries: Clamps, couplings, and ducting components.
• QRP (Quick Release Pins): Specialized latches and pins for rapid assembly.
• Bristol Industries: Self-locking nuts and gang channels.
• 3V Fasteners: Precision aerospace fasteners.
• Moeller: Washers, shims, and spacers.

These components are currently utilized on major commercial platforms, including the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320 family, as well as defense platforms like the F-35 Lightning II.

AirPro News Analysis

This acquisition highlights a continuing trend of consolidation within the aerospace supply chain. As aircraft production rates ramp up, with the fastener market growing at a CAGR of approximately 7.5 percent, Tier 1 suppliers like Howmet are increasingly seeking to acquire specialized Tier 2 manufacturers. This strategy secures production capacity and enhances pricing power in a constrained supply environment.

While regulatory bodies such as the FTC and DOJ have heavily scrutinized aerospace M&A in recent years, this transaction is primarily vertical and complementary rather than a merger of direct competitors. Consequently, while standard regulatory reviews will apply, the deal faces fewer hurdles than a horizontal merger between direct rivals.

Sources

• PR Newswire (Howmet Aerospace)