KF Aerospace is excited to announce a $30-million expansion of its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at YHM. Adding 150,000 sq. feet and over 275 new jobs, the project will drive new growth for Hamilton, the Airport and the surrounding region.

The centrepiece of the project is a new 75,000 sq. foot hangar, introducing wide-body aircraft capability and additional lines of maintenance to KF’s Hamilton operation. It’s expected to triple KF’s business in the Hamilton marketplace, expanding the company’s ability to support the country’s fastest-growing airport and its international cargo and passenger airline partners.

The project will bring steady, full-time jobs to the region over the next four years. KF Aerospace Founder and CEO, Barry Lapointe says it reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the city. “We’ve been operating in Hamilton for almost 25 years and are incredibly excited to be investing further in the community,” he says. “This expansion will allow KF to bring international customers to Canada to showcase our staff’s exceptional maintenance skills.”

The expansion will also allow KF to provide state-of-the-art shops, classrooms and hangar space for Mohawk College’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineer programs. A lifelong supporter of aviation training, Lapointe indicates the partnership with Mohawk College will help provide students with training that leads to rewarding careers in the rapidly advancing aerospace sector.

“Getting hands-on experience is the hallmark of a Mohawk education,” says Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie. “This partnership with KF Aerospace ensures our Aviation students get real-life learning experiences in a modern, state-of-the-art facility.”

Design, manufacturing, and construction of the new buildings will be kept in Canada. KF has contracted firms Ledcor Construction and NA Engineering for the project, and the hangar is being pre-fabricated in Brandon, Manitoba.

Construction on the wide-body hangar is expected to complete in October of 2019, and Mohawk will commence classes in their new facility in August 2020.