CONTRACT WITH AIRBUS TO BRING AT LEAST 50 NEW JOBS TO MACON
July 18,2002
Originally published in The Telegraph

Between 50 and 60 new jobs will be created at Middle Georgia Regional Airport once a contract to bring.70 Airbus jets to the airport for regular maintenance is finalized.

Timco, an aircraft maintenance company which operates a facility at the airport, is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with America West Airlines to service the airline's 'Airbus A319 and A320 jets, and is waiting for approval of a $500,000 grant from the One Georgia Authority. The grant is needed to buy tools that are specially designed to repair the Airbuses, commercial jets manufactured in Europe.

In preparing for the America West contract, Keith Statzer, general manager of Timco in Macon, said the plant has already begun hiring people for the new positions.

Jobs with wages ranging from $14 to $18 per hour, depending on experience, are available for both mechanics and support staff. Though some jobs will likely be filled by Timco employees relocating from other plants, advertisements for -the jobs have appeared in Macon and throughout Georgia, said Statzer.

Timco is sending several supervisors to Phoenix next week for hands-on training with America West. Timco is not alone in preparing for the America West contract — the airport has been building a new ramp outside the Timco facility to accommodate the Airbuses.

"(The old ramp) wasn't strong enough to support this heavy aircraft," said Rex Elder, Macon aviation director. The new ramp, a $650.000 project for which 90 percent is being paid by a federal grant and 10 percent by city funds, should be completed by Aug. 1st, the estimated arrival date of the first Airbuses.

"It's important for the whole state of Georgia," said Lance Randall, vice president for existing industry with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. Randall said that since Sept. 11, the state, like the nation, has been keeping a close watch on its aerospace industry. "This is a big win for us," he said. "We are confident it's going to happen."

Other airport tenants will likely benefit from the new contract.

With more people and aircraft on site, Lowe's Aviation and car rental agencies could see an increase in business, officials said. The new contract will likely make the airport more competitive in general, Elder said, making it more attractive to other airlines.

"The more aviation-type activity, the better," Elder said. "One tends to support the other."

Statzer said the reason Timco is in line for the America West contract is because of its previous performance with the airline's planes.

"We're giving America West a quality product," said Statzer, who said Timco has been getting America West's Boeing 737s out of the maintenance facility within the allotted time.

The contract will be continued indefinitely based on Timco's satisfactory performance, he said.

And if the America West contract is a success, Timco is likely to lure additional CMI-tracts that could add another 50-some jobs within 18 months, Statzer said. "I'm very optimistic from looking at operational results in the past year ... of seeing a long-term partnership with America West." Statzer said.

For more information contact Pat Topping with Macon Economic Development Commission.

478-621-2030
P.O. Box 169
Macon, Georgia 31202