The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved two contracts to build and operate a new Southwest Airlines maintenance facility at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Maryland, the US.
The board has approved a construction contract worth $44.6m for the development of the project site.
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A lease agreement for the construction and maintenance of the new facility has been approved for Southwest Airlines.
BWI stated that the 27-acre project site will feature a hangar to house up to three Boeing 737 aircraft, an apron space to accommodate up to eight Southwest Airlines jets, workshop space and associated office.
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd K Rutherford said: “This would be another key maintenance facility for Southwest Airlines and enhances an established long term and strategic relationship. Our administration continues to support BWI as a major transportation hub, as well as a catalyst for tourism, trade and economic development.”
The total cost of the maintenance facility is estimated to be approximately $135m that includes nearly $90m investment from the airline.
BWI said that the new Southwest Airlines maintenance facility is the first in the northeastern US for Southwest Airlines.
Southwest technical operations senior vice president Landon Nitschke said: “Southwest Airlines began serving BWI Marshall Airport 28 years ago and we are honoured to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the airport, and to Maryland, by progressing with plans to build a first-class maintenance hangar to support our employees and customers.”
“We appreciate the State of Maryland for the continued support of Southwest’s growth, investment, and presence at BWI Marshall Airport.”
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Illustration of the new Southwest Airlines maintenance facility in Maryland, the US. Credit: Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
