Large-Scale MROs Need More than a Plane Hangar

You can’t spend 63 years building a successful network of FBOs without knowing that it takes more than discounted fuel and clean bathrooms to satisfy the changing needs of business aviation customers.

As Sheltair Aviation’s late founder, Jerry Holland, and its current President, Lisa Holland, know, innovation and diversification are the keys to sustained success. That’s why the company expanded into the specialized field of airport real estate development.

Today, Sheltair Aviation has 19 FBOs, hangars, and mixed-use facilities across four states, totaling over 4.7 million square feet (MSF). Building on that success, the company recently began developing purpose-built MRO hangars.

As business aircraft continue to grow in size and sophistication, the demand for larger, purpose-built hangars has increased to support evolving safety standards, maintenance requirements, and operational efficiencies. explained Sheltair Aviation’s COO, Todd Anderson. With decades of experience in designing, developing, and operating aviation infrastructure, Sheltair offers a level of expertise and operational insight that is unmatched by most developers in the industry.

A hangar is more than a box with an airplane in it.

The company recently celebrated the completion of Hangar 9, located at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Featuring nearly 60,000 sq ft of combined hangar and office space, and a 50,000-sq-ft apron, the $15 million MRO complex is the showpiece of Sheltair Aviation’s purpose-built facilities.

“By combining our expertise in the development and management of premium aviation facilities with the strong relationships we have built with airport and local officials, we are well positioned to support MROs seeking to establish or expand their presence in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Colorado. That strategy continues to gain traction, with two additional developments currently in the planning pipeline.”

Of course, a purpose-built MRO hangar is more than just a bigger box. “A modern MRO facility needs a myriad of features that assist in the safe and efficient maintenance of aircraft,” he explains. To provide space for safely maintaining large aircraft you need increased door and ceiling heights, reinforced beams, ample ramp space, high-capacity electrical systems, and appropriate safety features within the facility.

“With over six decades of experience in hangar development, we have developed a deep understanding of customer requirements and the ability to anticipate and respond to their evolving needs” Anderson continues. “We’ve successfully delivered projects like these across our network, so we understand what it takes to move from concept to completion efficiently,” Anderson says. “Throughout the years we have built expertise to anticipate customer requirements and deliver solutions that support their long-term operational needs.”

“Our track record demonstrates our ability to develop purpose-built MRO facilities quickly and cost-effectively,” he continues. “In today’s competitive MRO market, having the right facility available when customers need it is a critical factor in their success.”