04.22.21

Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos, McNamara Applaud AAR Corp And United Airlines For Partnership At Rockford International Airport

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, today applauded the announcement from Illinois-based AAR Corp that United Airlines will use its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Rockford International Airport (RFD) as a new maintenance location. The agreement with AAR Corp and United Airlines to use RFD’s AAR facility as the maintenance location for United’s Boeing 737 fleet and other aircraft will run through 2025 and bring an additional 250 jobs to the region. 

 

“For years, I’ve pushed United to consider using the AAR Corp facility at RFD as its main maintenance hub. Today’s announcement means permanent, high skilled jobs are coming to Rockford.  I’m excited to see this plan in action in the months ahead and thank United for choosing the AAR workers of Rockford for this tremendous opportunity,” Durbin said. 

 

“Rockford Airport is already an important economic engine in the Stateline region, and today’s announcement between United Airlines and AAR Corp. capitalizes on recent federal, state and local investments to sustain up to 250 local jobs over the next five years,” Duckworth said. “After a difficult year for transportation industry workers, I’m so pleased to see more good-paying jobs for Illinoisans – created by two Illinois companies – that will reinforce our state’s reputation as a national leader in aviation transportation.”

 

“Today’s announcement is excellent news for the Rockford region and adds to the growing list of successes at Chicago Rockford International Airport – a major driver of the local economy,” said Bustos. “Choosing this facility as its new maintenance hub is a testament to the strength of our region, and I applaud United Airlines and AAR for investing in our community. I’ll continue to work alongside Senators Durbin and Duckworth, and community leaders like Mayor McNamara to secure important investments like this.”


“Since opening its MRO at RFD in 2016, AAR Corp. has been a key partner in our continued work to support the airport’s role as a leading regional economic engine. And they are right at home in a city with a long legacy of excellence in aerospace engineering and manufacturing.  We are beyond excited by AAR’s new contract with United Airlines, and we appreciate the hard work of Senator Duckworth, Senator Durbin, Congresswoman Bustos and Governor Pritzker to make this partnership possible,” said McNamara.  

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