Gulfstream has officially established a new customer support service center at Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 9, 2025. This new center expands on Gulfstream’s prior investment in the region, which included the opening of a $130 million, 225,000-square-foot maintenance, repair, and overhaul hangar in 2022.
13 Gulfstream jets can operate simultaneously.
The Mesa Service Center can accommodate up to 13 large-cabin Gulfstream business jets and provides maintenance, avionics, inspections, and drop-in assistance for all Gulfstream models.
This building joins Gulfstream’s current west campus in Mesa, which can house up to ten large- and mid-cabin aircraft. Gulfstream’s President, Mark Burns, commented on the news:
“The launch of Gulfstream’s new Mesa Service Center is consistent with our strategic aim of providing the industry’s most advanced service network, sustainably designed to support our customers wherever and whenever they need us.
“Thanks to the investments we’ve made in workforce development and on-the-job training, our Mesa team is well prepared to offer customers based in the Western United States and those traveling through the region the same high-quality service and safety measures that they have experienced across our worldwide network.”
According to the Arizona Commerce Community (AZA), Gulfstream’s operations at Mesa Airport have already created more than 250 new jobs in the region, with an additional 100 planned by 2025. In addition, the American private jet maker has worked with many local educational institutions to provide training for future aviators.
Addressing the increasing demand
Private flying has grown in popularity over time. Following the epidemic, there has been a considerable surge in private jet use, and private jet registrations are on the rise worldwide. The popularity of private aircraft is usually attributed to two factors: the COVID-19 pandemic and a slew of more economical options for traveling privately.
At the peak of the global pandemic in 2020, both commercial and private planes came to a near halt. While commercial air travel remained sluggish, private jet travel immediately recovered as it was seen a safer option. According to a Nature study, business jets flew 53% more kilometers between 2019 and 2023, while private planes increased by 28%.
As expected, private aviation is centered in the United States, where 68.7% of private aircraft are registered, according to the report. Carbon emissions from business jet use climbed by 46% between 2019 and 2023, with industry projections of further significant growth.
As a result, private aircraft manufacturers, like as Gulfstream, are responding to rising demand for private aviation services by investing in new service facilities for private jets and operators.
In addition to the Mesa Airport service center, Gulfstream’s network includes improved facilities in Van Nuys, California; Appleton, Wisconsin; Fort Worth, Texas; Palm Beach, Florida; Farnborough, United Kingdom; and the newly updated Savannah Service Center East.
Canada is another popular destination for private aircraft. Bombardier, a well-known private aircraft manufacturer, is based in the neighboring US. Like Gulfstream, Bombardier has been investing in new line maintenance facilities.
In 2024, the aircraft manufacturer will establish a new line maintenance station in Farnborough, United Kingdom, expanding its customer service presence in Europe.
Bombardier customers in Europe also benefit from turnkey servicing at Bombardier’s service centres in London Biggin Hill, Berlin, and Paris Line Maintenance Station.