When I tell lawmakers and staffers on Capitol Hill about the aviation maintenance industry, most don’t even realize you’re out there. They realize a company makes the plane, a couple of others fly it, and at least another person throws their bags underneath the plane before takeoff. What is often overlooked are the men and woman maintaining the aircraft. However, the days of anonymity are about to end.

Every day I read reports about new aviation maintenance facilities opening in communities both in America and throughout the world. In Rockford, IL, the hope is that attracting an MRO company will “create hundreds of well-paid jobs,” will be “the impetus for specialized education to supply labor to an MRO and other companies in a growing aerospace cluster that is short of qualified mechanics,” and would “be the most significant development at the 2,900 acre airport since UPS established a domestic package sorting hub” in 1994.

Halfway across the world, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the economy is bracing for great things as “the planned Aviation District at Dubai World Central, or DWC, the world’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, is designed to be the home of the world’s leading MROs looking to benefit from the rapid growth of the industry in the region.”

This is great news for an industry that has been attacked by self-interested organizations more focused in self-preservation than economic growth. It is a growing sector creating jobs and opportunities across the world. This will surely get the attention of policymakers.

As the industry continues to grow, the need to engage, particularly legislatively, is even more important. ARSA is here to advocate on the aviation maintenance sector’s behalf to ensure continued growth, job creation, and prosperity. But we can’t do it without you. Contact us to get involved today!