American Airlines Aircraft Maintenance Center

Project Details

Project Description

To support the modernization program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, American Airlines pursued the development of a new double wide-body aircraft maintenance hangar. The structure improves and consolidates both line and base maintenance operations at one of their busiest hubs, allowing them to continue servicing one of the largest and fastest-growing aircraft fleets in the world. Ghafari worked closely with American stakeholders to understand their operating requirements and conceive a highly efficient facility that accommodates a variety of aircraft.

Our planning team developed a dual-entry, flexible hangar concept for the 194,000 SF facility, which maximizes the allowable aircraft parking positions while minimizing the total gross area of the building. Our solution houses all aircraft variants in American’s fleet, including narrow-body and wide-body types. The facility also houses ancillary support functions, including a general back shop, a component staging area, and storage spaces.

Our design carefully considered the airport’s infrastructure, outfitting the new facility to take advantage of existing utilities. We also used daylight harvesting to reduce overhead lighting and diminish energy costs.

Now complete, the new hangar improves American’s aircraft and maintenance operations while serving the greater modernization of the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This project is a landmark for the redevelopment of American’s next-generation facilities and will ultimately strengthen the airline’s future growth.