American Airlines is making the largest investment in a maintenance base in its history with a $US550 million outlay for its tech ops facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The investment will include the construction of a 193,000 square-foot hangar capable of accommodating two wide-body aircraft or six narrow bodies and replaces two existing hangars. There will also be a base support building as well as improvements to existing infrastructure, including roof replacements, utility and IT upgrades and ramp repairs. Construction of the hangar and base support building is set to begin in early 2021 and will take about 18 months to complete. READ: Drones and electric aircraft could benefit regional aviation. The overall project will take seven years to complete and involves upgrades to nearly every one of the facility’s 22 buildings. The facility, known as Tech Ops-Tulsa, is home to more than 5500 staff and conducts half of the airline’s maintenance work with 900 aircraft visiting annually. Established in 1946, it is the US carrier’s biggest maintenance facility and, unlike those at some airlines, it’s been growing. American added 600 workers in 2019 as the facility took on CFM56-5B engine overhaul work as well as brake and wheel component repair. It is also the largest commercial aircraft maintenance facility in the world with 3.3 million square feet of hangar and shop space occupying 330 acres at Tulsa International Airport. “The American team in Tulsa and around the world is the best in the business when it comes to operating the safest and most reliable fleet of commercial aircraft,” said American’s chief executive Doug Parker. “Tulsa has been core to American’s operation for more than 70 years, and this investment in the base, along with the new positions we added at Tech Ops – Tulsa in 2019, will ensure our customers can continue to rely on our fleet as the safest and most reliable for decades to come.” State and city officials welcomed the investment, saying the biggest single capital investment in Tusla’s history underscored the airline’s long-term commitment to the region. “As one of the largest employers in our state, American Airlines plays an integral role in our economy and provides quality jobs for our citizens,” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said.