Horizon Air's PDX Maintenance Base Keeps Its E175 Fleet Flying

The airline's Portland facility employs 122 mechanics and 60 support staff to maintain its growing Embraer 175 fleet.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:02pm

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An extreme close-up of a heavily textured aircraft engine component, such as a fan blade or engine inlet, in dramatic lighting that highlights the raw materials and engineering details of the part.Horizon Air's PDX maintenance facility focuses on meticulous upkeep of its Embraer 175 fleet, with in-house capabilities that include specialized engine component repair.Everett Today

Aviation Week takes a look inside Horizon Air's maintenance facility at Portland International Airport (PDX), which focuses entirely on the airline's Embraer 175 fleet. The 180,000 sq. ft. facility includes a hangar that can accommodate up to seven E175s, as well as an engine shop, parts warehouse, engineering department, training facilities, and various back shops. Horizon Air employs 122 mechanics and 60 support staff at the PDX base, which is growing to support the airline's expanding E175 fleet.

Why it matters

As Horizon Air's E175 fleet expands to 50 aircraft, the PDX maintenance base plays a critical role in keeping the regional jets flying reliably. The facility's in-house capabilities, from engine maintenance to tire work, allow the airline to maintain tight control over its operations and minimize outsourcing costs.

The details

Horizon Air's PDX maintenance facility features a hangar that can accommodate up to seven Embraer 175 aircraft. The facility also includes an engine shop, parts warehouse, engineering department, training facilities, and back shops for sheet metal, composites, accessories, nondestructive testing, tires, and batteries. Archie Vega, Horizon Air's director of maintenance, planning and development, said the facility employs 122 mechanics and around 60 support staff, with 18 maintenance workers on the day shift and 30 on the night shift.

  • Horizon Air will take delivery of three more E175 aircraft in May and June 2026, growing its fleet to 50 aircraft.
  • The oldest E175 aircraft in Horizon's fleet is around 11 years old.

The players

Horizon Air

A regional airline and subsidiary of Alaska Air Group that operates a fleet of Embraer 175 aircraft.

Archie Vega

Horizon Air's director of maintenance, planning and development, who oversees the airline's PDX maintenance facility.

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What they’re saying

“It's a lot easier to go out and buy Embraers than it is [to buy] Boeing or Airbus. If we put in an order this year, we can start getting them next year.”

— Archie Vega, Director of Maintenance, Planning and Development

“Normally, we only keep one spare [engine] and they're constantly in overhaul, but we've been extremely lucky.”

— Archie Vega, Director of Maintenance, Planning and Development

What’s next

Horizon Air will need to find qualified replacements for its three Level 2-certified nondestructive testing (NDT) technicians, who are set to retire soon. The airline is also focused on growing its maintenance workforce to support the expanding E175 fleet.

The takeaway

Horizon Air's PDX maintenance facility demonstrates the airline's commitment to in-house capabilities and tight operational control, which has helped it maintain a young, reliable E175 fleet and minimize outsourcing costs. As the fleet grows, the facility will play an increasingly crucial role in Horizon's regional operations.