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Posted on Wed, Oct. 28, 2009 10:15 PM
Closing of American Airlines overhaul base is sad news for KC
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The handwriting was on the wall last year, when American Airlines announced plans to move several hundred jobs at its Kansas City overhaul base to Tulsa, Okla. Yet Wednesday still brought a disheartening note of finality: Next September, the facility will close.
It will be a sad end for an enterprise that at one time employed 10,000 people, now down to about 500.
Kansas City officials should ensure that the 25-year lease American signed in 2005 is fully enforced or properly bought out. The carrier’s annual lease payments are about $1.1 million.
In addition, any buyout should also cover the roughly $500,000 a year it costs for ongoing environmental cleanup at the city-owned facility at Kansas City International Airport.
The overhaul base was built by Trans World Airlines and opened in 1956. It once was the largest such facility in the world. But over the years, the work force steadily dwindled.
American bought TWA in 2001, before the Sept. 11 attacks. The ensuing dislocations in commercial air travel were a major blow, as was last summer’s spike in oil prices. In its letter announcing the closing of the facility, American said its fleet has dropped from 900 planes to about 600.
On a more encouraging note, Aviation Director Mark VanLoh said the city is continuing to market the facility and is not limiting its efforts to airline carriers. Given American’s pending departure, some companies that have shown interest should be back.
Said VanLoh: “I’m optimistic. I think we’ll be hearing something very soon. …I’d hate to guess, but maybe the first part of next year.”
VanLoh said the average age of the overhaul-base work force is 59. Many will be able to retire. Some will be moved to Tulsa or the Dallas area, where American is headquartered.
Even so, Wednesday’s announcement is a significant blow for many workers and families for whom the overhaul base was the main source of livelihood. Officials should continue to heavily market the facility, because a new tenant could provide jobs to at least some of these workers.
Posted on Wed, Oct. 28, 2009 10:15 PM
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