Amarillo’s aerospace industry is taking another big step forward. On Tuesday, Sept. 2, International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) broke ground on a $27 million widebody aircraft hangar at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport. The new facility not only adds significant capacity for the global aircraft painting and maintenance company but also deepens Amarillo’s reputation as a rising hub for aerospace investment.
A Game-Changing Expansion
The new hangar will measure 74,920 square feet and be capable of servicing aircraft up to a Boeing 777-X, some of the largest jets in commercial aviation. When it opens in September 2026, it will be IAC’s sixth hangar in Amarillo and the second designed specifically for widebody jets. That alone boosts the company’s local capacity by nearly one-third.
For IAC, which has operated in Amarillo for more than 30 years, this project is the natural next step.
“We’ve been in Amarillo for more than 30 years with five hangars, and this is a brilliant step forward,” said Martin O’Connell, CEO of IAC. “This new facility adds 65 steady-paying jobs to the 135 we already have and makes Amarillo even more attractive for other aviation companies looking to grow.”
Driven by Customer Demand
Like many expansions in the aerospace industry, this project didn’t happen on speculation — it happened because demand required it. IAC already serves some of the biggest names in aviation, including United, American, Southwest, Alaska, and Boeing. But as O’Connell explained, the company had reached a point where lack of space was limiting opportunities.
“What we’ve heard from them again and again is, ‘We’d love to do more with you, but you don’t have the space,’” O’Connell said. “This project answers that need, and the interest we’re already seeing shows how critical it was.”
Amarillo’s central location only adds to the appeal. Customers from across the country and overseas can easily position their aircraft here, and they like the efficiency of operating through Amarillo.
“Amarillo works so well — you’re central in the country, and customers like coming here,” O’Connell said. “As we announce this new hangar, they’re already asking, ‘When can we get on the schedule?’ Because it’s brand new, state-of-the-art, and designed to deliver at the highest level.”
High-Tech Facility, Faster Turnarounds
The hangar is being built with efficiency and safety in mind. Features include:
A wastewater treatment system
Hazardous paint mixing and storage rooms
A 75-horsepower oil-free air compressor paired with a 2,000-gallon air receiver tank
Upgraded 3,000-AMP electrical service
A 5,000-square-foot storage building
A modern ventilation system providing three-and-a-half air changes per hour
These upgrades are designed to make IAC’s already fast turnaround times even faster.
“On a 737, we can strip it to bare metal, repaint it, and roll it out in about seven or eight days,” O’Connell said. “On a widebody like a 777, maybe 10 to 11 days. We’ll be running this hangar 365 days a year. For our customers, brand matters. They want to see their aircraft looking like new — and that’s what we do.”
A Win for Amarillo’s Economy
For Amarillo, the new hangar represents more than a construction project — it’s a long-term economic boost. Doug Nelson, interim president and CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), pointed out that aerospace jobs are high-skilled, high-paying, and come with ripple effects throughout the community.
“These are high-paying, high-skilled jobs,” Nelson said. “Aircraft are flying into Amarillo from across the country and the world, staying here for weeks, and leaving looking brand new. That traffic, that spending, that workforce impact — it’s tremendous for our community.”
Nelson also emphasized that IAC had options when it came to expansion. The fact that the company chose Amarillo over other locations worldwide speaks volumes about the city’s advantages.
“Our workforce, our cost of living, and our proven track record made Amarillo the clear choice,” Nelson said. “When a global company like IAC doubles down on Amarillo, it sends a signal to the industry that this is a place worth investing in.”
Backed by Local Support
The Amarillo City Council approved a 50-year lease agreement for the project, along with an incentive package that includes up to $700,000 in job creation funding and a phased property tax abatement. IAC will pay $42,893 in annual rent, rising to $47,431 in 2027.
Public investment in private projects can sometimes spark debate, but Nelson argued the return on investment is clear.
“They’re investing dollars in Amarillo,” he said. “That strengthens local governments and creates opportunities for citizens. Manufacturing jobs have ripple effects — employees live and spend here, vendors supply locally, and that money stays in the economy.”
Building Critical Mass in Aerospace
IAC operates 19 hangars across 10 locations in the U.S. and Europe, completing more than 800 paint events annually. The Amarillo expansion is part of a larger global growth strategy, with new facilities also opening in Europe.
But O’Connell suggested this won’t be Amarillo’s last big aerospace announcement.
“Truthfully, it won’t be long before this hangar is at full capacity,” he said. “When that happens, we’ll need to start thinking about the next phase. But it’s thanks to the support of the airport authority, the AEDC, and the Chamber that we’re even here today — they saw the value and acted to make this happen.”
With Bell, Albers Aerospace, and other firms also investing in Amarillo, Nelson said the city is reaching a tipping point.
