Report Shows Aviation Maintenance Connects U.S. Workers to Global Economy

WASHINGTON – Global trade in aviation maintenance creates jobs and business opportunities in every corner of the United States, a new analysis by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) shows.

Florida, California and Texas top the list of states with the most maintenance companies serving European customers, ARSA found. Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, New York, Washington, Georgia and Oklahoma round out the top ten.

ARSA analyzed the list of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certificated repair stations in the United States authorized by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to work on European-registered aircraft and components. The association then correlated the data with industry employment figuresdeveloped by Oliver Wyman's CAVOK Division. ARSA conducted a similar analysis of EASA approval holders in 2017.

The association determined there are 1,437 repair stations with EASA approval across 47 of the 50 states. Overall, roughly one out of every three U.S. repair stations holds European certification. There are five states – including Connecticut, Florida, Kansas and Delaware – in which 50 percent or more of maintenance facilities can perform work on European-registered aircraft or components. West Virginia, the fifth state, has a smaller aircraft maintenance industry but the highest percentage (73 percent) of EASA approval holders.

Nationwide, repair stations employ more than 184,000 workers. When those numbers are added to the roughly 27,000 mechanics working for airlines and the 66,000 employed in aviation parts manufacturing and distribution, the maintenance industry’s total workforce is approximately 279,000. More than 110,000 Americans are employed at maintenance companies in the top 10 states for EASA approvals.

“Just as the aviation industry connects the world, the maintenance sector connects companies and workers throughout the United States to the global economy,” ARSA Executive Vice President Christian Klein said. “This analysis demonstrates the interconnectedness between American aviation business and European air operations. It shows us one of the many ways U.S. industry is well positioned to benefit from the expected growth in demand for maintenance. At the same time, the impact of any trade disruptions – for example, due to retaliation by foreign governments because of new U.S. laws or regulations targeting foreign repair stations – would be felt in all corners of the country.”

To review the ARSA-generated data, click here.

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.