Ascent Aviation Services has opened two new 90,000-square-foot wide-body aircraft maintenance hangars at its Pinal Air Park facility in Marana, Arizona. The opening, held in late 2025, follows a $70 million investment announced in September 2023. The expansion increases the facility’s hangar capacity by 200%. This allows Ascent to handle more maintenance projects and support aircraft conversion programs.
The new hangars support Ascent’s work with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on the Boeing 777-300ER passenger-to-freighter conversion program. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for this program in August 2025. Ascent is now the only non-OEM MRO conversion facility in North America approved for these modifications. The company aims to meet growing demand for cargo aircraft as e-commerce increases cargo needs by 4-5% annually over the next five years.
David Querio, President and CEO of Ascent, said the expansion supports innovation and growth in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry. The project is expected to create over 300 jobs in Southern Arizona. Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, and Joe Snell, President and CEO of The Chamber of Southern Arizona, noted the project’s economic impact and job creation…