Following a long stretch of yea-over-year growth, King Aerospace announced plans last May to add a new 90,000 sq ft hangar. With COVID-19 causing supply chain disruptions and final planning with the City of Ardmore pushed back this year, the company is now looking to break ground by Q1 2021, according to executive VP Ron Soret, who rejoined the company in July 2020 after nine years with AERIA Luxury Interiors to oversee the hangar expansion. Construction could take a year to 15 months.

The new facility represents a 45 per cent increase to King's current 200,000 sq ft of hangar space at the 2,900 acre Ardmore Industrial Airpark in Oklahoma. King has enjoyed a presence at the airpark, part of Ardmore Municipal airport, since 1993. The longest of the two runways, at 9,000 ft, accommodates commercial airliners and ultra-long-range business jets. The other, at 5,300 ft, serves turboprops and light-to-midsize jets. A BNSF railroad spur, solid utilities and accessible location offer additional advantages. Ardmore sits between DFW International in Dallas, Texas and Will Rogers World airport in Oklahoma City. Each is 90 miles away.

The new hangar will hold multiple large aircraft and shop facilities that will support large aircraft interior projects. This larger footprint will enable King Aerospace to accommodate Boeing 737 and 757 narrow-body and 747, 767 and even 777 widebody aircraft. It also will allow the firm to diversify its product line to include green completions, a longtime corporate goal.

King Aerospace's corporate aircraft division supports VVIP aircraft, specialising in the Boeing Business Jet, and serves as a primary subcontractor for the company's military/government aircraft division. The Ardmore location acts as a full-service maintenance and modification depot facility, is AS9110C certified, is a FAA and EASA certified repair station and offers avionics, interiors, modifications and paint. On any given day, walking through the Ardmore facilities, visitors might see everything from a head-of-state aircraft getting an interior upgrade to a business magnate's BBJ undergoing engine maintenance and repair.

The company recently took over the space once operated by Lakeland Aviation, a full-service FBO located in the main terminal building at Ardmore Municipal. This transient lounge has undergone a complete refurbishment, guided by aviation interior designer Jeannine Ohrmundt, and is now part of King Aerospace's Line Shack complex. The FBO offers aircraft ground handling, Jet A full-service fuelling, self-service avgas and assisted fuelling after hours and on weekends.

Recent additions to the King Aerospace management team have necessitated the expansion of office space as well. The company was able to secure additional footage within its existing home office in Addison, part of the Dallas metro area. The new office space includes a centralised area for support staff as well as individual offices and conference rooms.

“We've always based our services on proactive, here-for-you support,” says Jarid King, King Aerospace president. “Our growth reflects our determination to continue delivering outstanding performance at every level.”