West Star Aviation Expands Chattanooga MRO Hub with $32M Hangar Project

The expansion will add 40,000 square feet of hangar space and 30,000 square feet of additional facilities to support growing maintenance needs.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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West Star Aviation has officially broken ground on a massive $32 million expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) campus at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. The project will add 40,000 square feet of new hangar space and a 30,000-square-foot addition to an existing hangar, centralizing critical departments to streamline operations and reduce aircraft downtime.

Why it matters

The expansion directly addresses a surge in customer maintenance needs for larger business aircraft. By consolidating services like maintenance, avionics upgrades, and interior refurbishment under one roof, West Star is positioning Chattanooga as a premier full-service MRO destination for aircraft operators across the Southeast and East Coast.

The details

The new Hangar 26 will provide 40,000 square feet of hangar space, bolstered by 15,000 square feet of office and shop facilities. This area will feature climate-controlled storage for aircraft interiors, an overhead crane, and dedicated fire-rated document rooms to enhance safety and efficiency. West Star is also expanding Hangar 27 with a two-story, 30,000-square-foot addition to centralize critical departments like Accessories, Composite, and Sheetmetal shops.

  • West Star Aviation officially broke ground on the project in February 2026.
  • The expansion is scheduled for completion in February 2027.

The players

West Star Aviation

A maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company that operates an aviation campus at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

Mike Ditmeyer

Vice President and General Manager of West Star Aviation's Chattanooga location.

Weston Wamp

Hamilton County Mayor.

Jack McAfee

Member of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority.

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What they’re saying

“This is a very exciting time for West Star Aviation as we continue to grow here at Chattanooga Airport. The site expansion strengthens our foundation to support our customers' maintenance needs and further develop our team's expertise. The pride, quality, and teamwork of this group are at the heart of this facility.”

— Mike Ditmeyer, Vice President and General Manager, Chattanooga Location (mrobusinesstoday.com)

What’s next

The project is expected to be completed by February 2027, with West Star Aviation planning to hire up to 200 additional skilled technicians over the next five years to support the expanded operations.

The takeaway

West Star Aviation's major investment in its Chattanooga MRO campus underscores the growing demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for larger business aircraft in the Southeast and East Coast regions. By consolidating its capabilities under one roof, the company is positioning Chattanooga as a premier full-service destination for aircraft operators.