TULSA, Okla. — American Airlines is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its Tulsa base maintenance facility, a site that has grown from a former military aircraft plant into the world's largest commercial aircraft maintenance base.

Known as Tech Ops – Tulsa, the facility has served as the backbone of the airline's technical operations since opening in June 1946.

"American is proud to celebrate Tech Ops – Tulsa, a cornerstone of our aircraft maintenance operation," said Kevin Brickner, American Airlines' Senior Vice President of Technical Operations. "Our team of skilled aviation maintenance professionals — in Tulsa and across our system — is the best in the business, and they set the standard for safety, quality and ingenuity."

The maintenance base traces its origins to 1945, when American Airlines leased a surplus military aircraft plant from the City of Tulsa and relocated its maintenance and engineering operations from New York's LaGuardia Airport. The facility originally occupied more than 260 acres with four hangars and began servicing Douglas DC-3 aircraft the following year.

Over the decades, nearly every aircraft type operated by American Airlines has undergone maintenance in Tulsa, including the Douglas DC-3, Convair 240, Boeing 707, Boeing 727, Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, MD-80, and today's Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 aircraft.

The maintenance campus has expanded to approximately 3.3 million square feet of hangar and shop space across 330 acres at Tulsa International Airport. Together with nearby composite repair and wheel and brake facilities, the operation services more than 400 aircraft each year.

Today, Tech Ops – Tulsa employs nearly 5,000 people, including more than 2,300 licensed aviation maintenance technicians. Employees support aircraft overhaul, engine maintenance, component repair, engineering, supply chain operations, facilities maintenance, and information technology around the clock.

The airline is also investing approximately $400 million in improvements to the facility as it prepares for future growth.

American Airlines continues to invest in workforce development through its partnership with Tulsa Tech, a school that has trained many of the facility's maintenance technicians. In 2024, the airline formalized its relationship with the school by offering interviews to top graduates and expanding mentorship opportunities.

That partnership recently paid dividends when Tulsa Tech's adult student team, mentored by Tech Ops – Tulsa employees, captured first place among 47 schools at the 2026 Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition.

American Airlines officials said they expect the Tulsa maintenance base to remain a cornerstone of the airline's operations for decades to come.