Did You Know…
Over the past few months, multiple aircraft have come to the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) to test engines, planes, or to achieve FAA certification.
Airbus spent a week testing the new A321neo, while Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation used RFD as the location to test the new MRJ Regional Jet. Embraer used the airport for certification testing for the E190-E2 which is scheduled for production in 2018. Embraer was also spotted at RFD flying the larger E195-E2 (part of the E-Jet E2 family) for the first time, this model is expected to begin production in 2019.
The primary reason behind the growth of testing and certification visitation to the airport is the operation of AAR’s recently completed MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility). This is in addition to the airport’s ability to accommodate any sized aircraft due to the length of the runways and proximity to the colder climate of the northern hemisphere.
RFD is many things, passenger transportation hub for domestic and international flights; a cargo facility, home to UPS’s second largest air cargo hub; and with AAR’s MRO it is also the place to have planes repaired, maintained, or completely overhauled.
The completion of the MRO has provided many benefits for the community including a stronger education-to-workforce pipeline, additional resources for the airport, and good-paying primary jobs.
Congratulations to our partner, Chicago Rockford International Airport. Check out more news from the airport at FlyRFD.com.
This was also published in the April 30th edition of the RRStar. Look for the RAEDC’s Letters to the Rockford Region in the paper on the last Sunday of the month.
