ProJet Aviation announced Friday they
are discontinuing commercial maintenance and repair operations (MRO) at Leesburg
Executive Airport in order to focus on managed aircraft clients. The
company plans to accommodate “emergency maintenance” requests for
all Leesburg based and transient aircraft.
“This extremely difficult decision
was made after almost two years of trying to turn around a shop that
had struggled for years under previous ownership,” said Shye Gilad,
CEO of Projet Aviation. In June 2012, Landmark Aviation sold all of
its fixed base operator assets at Leesburg to ProJet.
“In no way is this a reflection of
the hard work and commitment of our MRO team - despite their best
efforts, the economics of operating the MRO at a large scale are
simply not sustainable in the face of adverse external conditions,”
Gilad said.
“We thank you for your business and
regret that we will no longer be able to provide scheduled
maintenance services,” Gilad said in an announcement to customers.
In 2012, Leesburg had 215 based
aircraft and over 70,000 annual operations (takeoffs and landings).
The airport is home to three flight schools in addition to a number
of aeronautical service companies. Total employment at the airport is
nearly 300.
