West Star Aviation Cuts Contractor Jobs as COVID-19 Virus Threatens Economy

West Star Aviation, which opened a $22 million corporate aircraft maintenance facility at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in 2016, on Friday released some of its contract labor at its four facilities.

Debi Cunningham, vice president of marketing for West Star, said between 10 to 20 contract workers were laid off, including some in Chattanooga. But she said the company is maintaining its own 1,500-employee staff and so far has been able to weather the turbulence in the airline industry caused by travel restrictions and cutbacks stemming from the COVID-19 virus.

"Our first and foremost responsibility is to our own employees," she said. "We hate having to make this move, but we decided to go this direction first to help protect our position in these uncertain times."

West Star Aviation helps maintain and repair corporate aircraft, which hasn't so far been hurt as much as the commercial airline industry.

"Our March so far is doing well and our hangars are full and people are making deliveries," Cunningham said. "We have no plans for closing or shutting down any of our locations at this time as long as the states where they operate are doing well and there's not a mandatory shutdown (of air travel)."

Cunningham said West Star Aviation is vigilant in cleaning all aircraft and it has not had any instances of any employees being tested positive for the virus.

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