(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) StandardAero marked a major moment for the regional aviation economy with the grand opening of its expanded maintenance, repair, and overhaul campus at Augusta Regional Airport on August 28, 2025. The project adds 80,500 square feet of new space, enlarging the footprint by 60% to a total of 210,000 square feet, and brings approximately 100 new technically skilled jobs to the area.
Company leaders, local and state officials, customers, and employees cut the ribbon at Augusta Regional Airport, confirming that airframe maintenance is already running in the new hangar, while a dedicated engine shop designed for Honeywell HTF7000 work will come online in the first half of 2026. The investment, valued at $33 million, positions Augusta as a growing hub for business aviation service across North America.
Why the Expansion Happened
StandardAero’s leaders said the expansion is a direct answer to customer demand for more capacity and faster turn times. Russell Ford, Chairman and CEO of StandardAero, said the company is doubling down on a community it has called home for five decades.
“This expansion reinforces our long-term commitment to the business aviation community and to Augusta, where we’ve proudly operated for more than 50 years. We’re growing to meet the needs of our customers, investing in our people, and building on our reputation for industry-leading quality and service.”
Anthony Brancato, President of StandardAero’s Business Aviation division, added:
“We’re listening to our customers, and they’re asking for more capacity, faster turn times and a partner they can trust with their most valuable assets. With this investment in Augusta, we’re answering that call – with more space, added expertise, and the same unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Economic and Community Impact
City and state leaders framed the expansion as both an economic win and a workforce story.
- Herbert L. Judon Jr., Executive Director of Augusta Regional Airport, called the project “the largest business development announcement in generations,” highlighting long-term economic benefits and career pipelines.
- Mayor Garnett Johnson noted local firms were heavily involved in construction and said the added capacity opens career paths for area students.
- Governor Brian P. Kemp described the move as a vote of confidence in Georgia’s aerospace sector and logistics capabilities, citing Georgia’s top-five ranking in U.S. aerospace exports.
The broader benefits extend beyond the airport: suppliers, machine shops, training providers, hotels, restaurants, and travel services are likely to see increased demand from visiting crews, parts shipments, and additional business activity.
Facility Capabilities and Programs
The expanded facility supports a wide range of business aircraft and engines.
- Airframes served: Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Embraer, Gulfstream, and Hawker.
- Powerplants and APUs: Honeywell HTF7000, TFE731, and GTCP36 APU programs.
- The engine shop is tailored for HTF7000 MRO and will be fully operational in early 2026. StandardAero is the exclusive independent provider for HTF7000 overhauls.
The campus already handles heavy checks and avionics work and adds customer lounges and workspace for complex projects requiring specialized tooling. Company figures show the Augusta team services about 425 aircraft and 500 turbine aircraft engines each year — numbers expected to rise as the new capacity fills.
Jobs, Hiring, and Workforce Development
The jobs created span hands-on technical roles, engineering, operations, and support.
- Current employees at Augusta: about 175
- Global StandardAero workforce: nearly 7,700
- New roles expected: approximately 100 new technically skilled jobs
Hiring focus and roles:
– Shop floor: A&P technicians, avionics installers, sheet metal and structures mechanics, engine technicians, quality inspectors.
– Support and office: engineers, planners, purchasing/logistics staff, tool crib coordinators, customer support representatives.
– Recruitment targets both experienced professionals and entry-level talent for training and mentorship programs.
Leaders emphasized recruiting local residents and military veterans and pairing hiring with high school programs and technical college partners to create clear pathways from classroom to hangar floor.
Workforce Training and Pathways
- Partnerships with local high schools and technical colleges aim to provide credentials in airframe & powerplant maintenance, avionics, and quality control.
- The city plans events to bring students into hangars to see work firsthand and convert interest into applications.
- Training pathways include internships, apprenticeships that may count for college credit, and structured on-the-job training.
Customer Benefits and Operational Improvements
More capacity translates to shorter downtime and improved customer experience.
- Faster turn times for heavy checks, avionics upgrades, and engine overhauls can reduce delays for medical flights, business trips, and warranty-related maintenance.
- On-site amenities and customer lounges enhance the experience during visits that can last days or weeks.
- Co-locating airframe and engine services reduces the need to ship engines off-site, cutting turnaround time and simplifying coordination.
Demand Drivers and Strategic Focus
Key demand drivers:
– A wave of mid-life heavy checks across business jet fleets.
– Avionics updates driven by safety mandates and owner preferences.
– Growing Honeywell HTF7000 fleet across North America.
By tailoring the new engine shop for HTF7000 work, StandardAero expects to keep more overhauls local, preserving specialized talent and reducing logistics.
Incentives, Funding, and Local Support
- Investment: $33 million
- The Augusta Economic Development Authority assisted with grants for site prep and construction.
- The State of Georgia offers job tax credits over a 10-year period and other incentives for projects that add skilled positions.
These supports helped accelerate the build and reflect a strategy of combining state incentives with local partnerships to attract aerospace investments.
Compliance and Immigration Context
StandardAero did not announce specific visa plans for the new roles; hiring is focused on local and regional candidates. However, in the broader industry context, employers sometimes use federal immigration routes when local talent is insufficient.
Key points for job seekers:
– Employers may consider employment-based immigrant visas (e.g., EB-3) for permanent skilled roles; one step in that route is filing Form I-140: Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.
– Other potential nonimmigrant options for certain roles include H-1B, L-1, and TN (USMCA) categories, each with specific requirements and timelines.
– StandardAero has not stated it will use these programs in Augusta. Applicants should be prepared to show valid work authorization in the U.S. (citizen, lawful permanent resident, or authorized noncitizen).
Applicants uncertain about their work authorization should seek qualified legal advice before applying, since employers verify work authorization at hire and must follow federal rules.
Regional Impact and Long-Term Outlook
Practical local impacts:
– Construction engaged Georgia-based firms, keeping spending within the region.
– Hotels, restaurants, and transport services will benefit from visiting crews during longer maintenance events.
– Local machine shops and parts suppliers can win steady work supporting quick turnarounds and close coordination with the hangar floor.
Long-term goals:
– Establish Augusta as a destination for business aviation MRO and supplier growth.
– Scale services as fleets age and operators invest in avionics and cabin upgrades.
– Maintain flexibility across airframe, avionics, cabin, and engine work to balance market cycles.
Next Milestones
- Engine shop fully operational: First half of 2026
- Continued hiring to fill approximately 100 new technically skilled jobs
- Ongoing partnership development with local schools and training providers
Key Takeaways
- StandardAero’s expansion adds 80,500 sq ft, bringing the total to 210,000 sq ft, funded by a $33 million investment.
- The project creates around 100 new technical jobs and grows Augusta’s role as a regional MRO hub.
- The new engine shop — specialized for Honeywell HTF7000 — will be online in early 2026, complementing airframe and avionics capabilities.
- Local hiring and training partnerships are central to the rollout, with a strong emphasis on workforce development and community benefits.
For job seekers, the company points candidates to its careers page to apply, note certifications, and show manufacturer training. The expansion offers hands-on roles that can lead to long-term careers in aviation right in Augusta.
This Article in a Nutshell
StandardAero opened an expanded 210,000-square-foot MRO campus at Augusta Regional Airport on August 28, 2025, following a $33 million investment that added 80,500 square feet of space. The expansion will create about 100 technically skilled jobs and positions Augusta as a regional hub for business aviation maintenance. Airframe work is already operating in the new hangar, and a dedicated engine shop for Honeywell HTF7000 overhauls will be online in early 2026. The facility supports major business jet types and powerplant programs (HTF7000, TFE731, GTCP36 APU), services roughly 425 aircraft and 500 turbine engines annually, and will shorten turnaround times by co-locating airframe and engine services. Local and state incentives, workforce partnerships with schools, and community benefits—suppliers, hotels, and training providers—underscore the broader economic impact.
