American Airlines consolidates 737 work in Tulsa

More good news for the American Airlines maintenance base in Tulsa. The company says it's bringing even more of its 737 fleet work here. <br><br>News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg says Wednesdayâ€™s

Wednesday, January 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

More good news for the American Airlines maintenance base in Tulsa. The company says it's bringing even more of its 737 fleet work here.

News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg says Wednesdayâ€™s news means the completion of the last two pieces of the puzzle in the 737 maintenance work. Basically, all of it will now be done here in Tulsa.

The big news back in November was when Tulsa got the heavy maintenance checks for the 737. Wednesday, they announced Tulsa will also do the light maintenance checks and the engine overhaul work.

No additional jobs are expected in the near future. But as we've mentioned before, the 737 is so important because it is a newer plane and it's expected to be the biggest part of American's fleet in the next few years.

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune: "We have kept American strong. New jobs? No. Retention of the existing jobs? Absolutely yes."

American will begin re-tooling part of the base for the light maintenance work at the beginning of March. Much of the cost of that will paid for with Vision money.

Everyone at the news conference Wednesday today made a point of thanking the voters, because without the Vision plan, they doubt this would have happened.