Orlando International Lures Avocet

200 jobs and an almost $5 million airport hangar are coming to Central Florida.

Avocet Maintenance & Engineering and its sister firm, Aircraft Parts Sales Inc. are relocating from Opa-Locka Airport in Miami-Dade County to the Orlando Sanford International Airport (OSIA) in Seminole County. OSIA’s airline traffic and a new hangar for expansion possibilities were the driving factors.

Avocet, which has been in business for more than 20 years, provides repair, maintenance, and aircraft teardown services for cargo planes, specializing in Boeing 737 maintenance. Maria Arellano, Avocet’s General Manager, says they hope to get a Federal Aviation Administration license to work on passenger airliners as well.

The Sanford Airport Authority is set to build a 40,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hangar for Avocet at the OSIA, enabling the company to offer a full range of services to commercial customers. Estimated to cost between $4 and $5 million and using a 50 percent matching state grant, the hangar is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2010. A 20-year or longer lease agreement is being negotiated and in the interim, while the new one is being built, Avocet is occupying a smaller facility for about $165,000 a year.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Orlando Sanford International Airport and the many opportunities that will arise for our company and for our valued clients,” says Arellano. “Sanford is one of the fasted growing airports in the United States, and is strategically located in Central Florida. This move will provide us with the opportunity to expand our capabilities…”

Avocet presently has 20 employees but anticipates an additional 180 jobs over the next two years. The Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and Seminole Community College will help arrange employee-training programs for up to 150 aviation mechanics, positions that are estimated to earn more than $45,000 a year.

The move is mutually beneficial as Avocet would be the airport’s first full-service aircraft maintenance operation. Orlando Sanford Vice President Diane Crews says, “The more service we can offer to the air carriers then, obviously, the greater our attraction as an aviation facility for commercial aircraft.”

Daily News, Economic Development

Sponsored Content

Webinars, Podcasts & Videos

Minnesota is home to the #1 health care cluster in the world according to Medical Alley. In this short video we take a look at why.

Doing Business in Minnesota, a Mayo Clinic Business Development and Destination Medical Center Perspective

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Innovation Tower is leading the evolution of the office environment to attract, inspire and retain top talent... San Antonio, Texas.

Innovation Tower: Where America’s Future Rises – San Antonio, Texas

Innovation Tower is leading the evolution of the office environment to attract, inspire and retain top talent.

Progress Labs at Center 85 in Frederick, Maryland is a five-building approximately 700,000 square foot development. Available for sale or lease. Permit ready.

Property Spotlight: Progress Labs at Center 85 – Frederick, Maryland

Progress Labs at Center 85 in Frederick, Maryland is a five-building approximately 700,000 square foot development. Available for sale or lease, and a Build-to-Suit Opportunity. Permit ready.

Share to...