Fort Lauderdale’s bustling MRO cluster has attracted another business following a deal between Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) and Sheltair Aviation to build a new maintenance facility at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The 70,000 ft.2 site will serve as GlobalX’s main maintenance base and will include a hangar that can accommodate three narrowbodies or one widebody.
Construction should start at the end of this year and finish in the second quarter of 2025.
Earlier this year, GlobalX received approval from the U.S. Transport Department to expand its fleet from 11 to 16 aircraft, which it planned to do via the addition of two Airbus A320 passenger aircraft and three A321 freighters.
The ACMI operator relies on leases for its aircraft, the latest of which was sourced via a deal announced Sept. 12 with ATSG subsidiary Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM).
Although GlobalX is headquartered at Miami International Airport, it has followed others to Fort Lauderdale, notably big MRO companies such as HEICO and GA Telesis
A big draw is the city’s central position between the labor pools of Miami and Palm Beach, as well as the aviation program of Fort Lauderdale’s Broward College
Another draw for employees and employers alike is the absence of state income taxes—though Florida’s traditional attractions and sun and sand are no doubt well appreciated, too.
