Companies, Workers Nationwide Benefiting from International Aviation Maintenance Trade, ARSA Analysis Shows

WASHINGTON – Workers and companies in almost every state benefit from international trade in aviation maintenance services, according to a new analysis by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA).  The findings underscore the broad economic impact of the aviation maintenance industry in communities throughout the United States, as well as the benefits of bilateral aviation safety agreements (BASA) that make government oversight more efficient.

A long-standing BASA between the United States and European Union (EU), allows U.S. repair stations certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to more easily receive and maintain approval to work on European-registered aircraft and related components.  The BASA also makes oversight more efficient for government and industry by allowing the FAA and European regulators to share responsibilities. 

In addition to the EU, the United States has BASAs with several other countries covering maintenance, flight operations and aircraft and environmental certification.

The ARSA analysis of the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) list of U.S. EASA approval holders found there are 1,460 repair stations spread across 47 of the 50 states authorized to work on European aircraft and components.  ARSA correlated the EASA data with industry employment figures developed by Oliver Wyman for the association in 2016 and found that, collectively, there are more than 161,000 Americans employed by repair stations in the 25 states with the most EASA approvals. 

“The positive impact of international trade on small businesses and workers in the aviation maintenance sector is one of the U.S. economy’s best kept secrets,” ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein said.  “When considering tax, trade, aviation or regulatory policy, it’s important for the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to understand and consider that back-home impact.  Anything that undermines economic activity in this area is going to have negative repercussions in communities around the country.” 

According to Oliver Wyman’s 2016 industry analysis, 88 percent of US. repair stations are small and medium-size businesses and repair stations employ more than 184,000 workers nationwide.  When aircraft parts manufacturing and distribution and air carrier maintenance personnel are taken into account, the aviation maintenance industry has more than 273,000 workers and accounts for more than $43 billion in economic activity. 

ARSA is the only association devoted to the unique needs of the global civil aviation maintenance industry. It is dedicated to helping member companies operate more efficiently and effectively, while continuing to ensure the safety of aircraft worldwide. To learn more about the association’s work on behalf of both industry stakeholders and the flying public, please visit ARSA.org.