Canada-based MHI RJ Aviation Group invested $20 million to expand its MRO hangars at North Central Regional Airport in Bridgeport Aerotech Business Park, West Virginia.

According to company officials construction of the 100,000 square foot addition is expected to be finalized and the expansion operational in roughly eighteen months.

"This is a significant milestone for MHIRJ as it reinforces the growth of our business. As the largest MRO serving the CRJ Series platform, we aim at creating continued value for our customers by exploring opportunities that will allow us to elevate our service offering, diversify our capabilities and expand our infrastructure," said Ismail Mokabel, Senior Vice President, Head of Aftermarket.

At the moment, MHIRJ's combined Service Centers can offer maintenance to up to thirty aircraft simultaneously, making MHIRJ's Regional MRO infrastructure the biggest in the world. This expansion comes in concert with other initiatives on MHIRJ's side, such expanding Component Repair Capabilities, diversifying MRO activities to other aircraft types and launching a consulting service (MHIRJ Aero Advisory Services) and projects to expand MRO activities once again to other aircraft types after 2023.

"Today's launch of MHIRJ's site expansion at North Central Regional Airport is truly exciting and again proves that West Virginia is the best place to grow a business," Governor Jim Justice said. "When a company is able to keep growing as MHIRJ has done over the past couple years, adding hundreds of new jobs, expanding its operations, and building out its facilities, it's the sign of great company leadership and puts a spotlight on the profitable business environment we have built in West Virginia. The economic ripple effects of this continued growth are going to bring all kinds of goodness to north central West Virginia, and I could not be prouder that MHIRJ continues to deepen its roots in our great state."

Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, and bolstered by an Aerospace Engineering Centre, MHIRJ's network of service centres, support offices and parts depots are positioned in important aviation hubs in the U.S., Canada and Germany. MHI RJ Aviation Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, headquartered in Tokyo.

"Having MHIRJ with us at the airport is something we are immensely proud of. This expansion is significant for the region; it means more jobs, a wave of opportunity for development for CKB and MHIRJ that both will be able to ride on. We look forward to maintaining and evolving this partnership for many years to come," said Rick Rock, Director of the North Central West Virginia Airport.