Description
AAR CORP. is a private provider of aviation services.
AAR is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, a Chicago suburb near O'Hare International Airport. The company employs 4,700 people worldwide.
History
I.A. Allen Industrial was incorporated in 1955, renamed Allen Aircraft Radio in 1962 and became AAR CORP. in 1969. The company was founded by Ira A. Eichner. Also in 1969, in Oklahoma City, AAR began its aircraft maintenance business. In 1965, AAR expanded to Europe, and opened a Singapore office in 1982.
David P. Storch was CEO from 1996 to 2018. In 2018, John M. Holmes became CEO.
In 2017, AAR was chosen as the prime contractor for 15-year, $909 million landing gear award to provide total supply-chain management to support all U.S. Air Force and contractor requisitions received for all C-130, KC-135 & E-3 landing gear parts.
In September 2019, the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command awarded AAR a $118M contract for the procurement, modification and delivery of two C-40 aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps.
During the Trump administration, AAR quadrupled its lobbying expenditures. The company spent large sums at Trump-owned properties with the intent to get Trump to view the company more favorably. From the time Trump took office until October 2020, AAR obtained 10 new federal contracts worth a total of $1.35 billion.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, AAR began using augmented reality in their warehouses to facilitate socially-distanced communications, as well as to conduct FAA site visits and audits. They are also piloting the use of drones to assist in inspections.
In March 2021, AAR publicly announced the first all-female class of technicians in training at Miami International Airport.
In April 2021, AAR signed a multi-year agreement with United Airlines to provide heavy maintenance services in Rockford, Illinois. AAR plans to add up to 250 more aviation maintenance technician (AMT) jobs at the facility to meet increased demand from United.
AAR is working with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the development of the first maintenance SkillBridge program. AAR has partnered with VIPER (Veteran Internships Providing Employment Readiness) to train veterans for careers in the aviation industry.
In December 2021, The United States Air Force awarded AAR CORP. a 10-year, $365m USAF contract, to provide a range of aircraft maintenance services for F-16 aircraft allocated to the USAFE (United States Air Forces in Europe).
