Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami International) has selected Kansas City International, Missouri, as the location of its new headquarters, consolidating all its operations in the region following its launch in 2021 of Foxtrot Aero, a passenger-to-freighter design company and the purchase of MRO facility Alta Aero Technic.
The US carrier will invest over USD4.7 million and create 165 new jobs to build its new headquarters while relocating various positions, including maintenance professionals, pilots, and flight operations personnel.
“Eastern Air Holdings has had a great experience operating two other businesses at MCI, Alta Aero Technic and Foxtrot. Kansas City and its airport have a great legacy in our industry. We did look at a number of cities to rebase our headquarters, but the enthusiasm of Missouri and the city combined with the generous assistance of the Missouri Works program made our decision easy,” Stephen Buscher, Eastern Airlines Chief Financial Officer, said in a statement.
The carrier will benefit from the Missouri Works program and is receiving assistance from Missouri One Start, a Missouri Department of Economic Development initiative that assists eligible businesses with their recruitment and training needs.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the Eastern Airlines fleet comprises 13 aircraft, including one B767-200, three B767-200(ER)s, four B767-300ERs, and three B777-200ERs. The company operates four of these planes for the United States Air Force (MC, Washington National). According to the carrier, at any given time, it has 10-15 aircraft parked at its hangar facilities at Kansas City and is actively working to expand its fleet, with aspirations to grow its footprint over time at the airport.
Additionally, Eastern Airlines recently launched Eastern Air Express (Texas) (HWA, Fort Worth Alliance) after acquiring Hillwood Airways in November 2023. This Part 215 carrier operates a fleet of four aircraft, including three B737-700s, and one B737-700(QC).
