AAR
Provides aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and supply chain solutions.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
AAR Corp. is a U.S.-based aviation services company whose business is centered on the aftermarket life of aircraft rather than the manufacture of complete aircraft. It supplies new and used aircraft parts, provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services, and manages aviation inventories and supply chains for commercial airlines, aircraft operators, original equipment manufacturers, government agencies and military customers. The company is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and operates through facilities and customer relationships in the United States and international markets. The company traces its origins to Ira Allen Eichner’s 1951 business supplying radios and other equipment to commercial aviation. The enterprise was incorporated as I.A. Allen Industrial in 1955, adopted the name Allen Aircraft Radio in 1962 and became AAR CORP. in 1970. Its development illustrates a broadening from aviation equipment and parts into an integrated aviation aftermarket platform. AAR entered aircraft maintenance in 1969 through operations in Oklahoma City, expanded into Europe in 1965 and opened a Singapore office in 1982. Over time, its capabilities came to include aircraft and component maintenance, parts distribution, used-serviceable-material sales, inventory management, procurement, warehousing and logistics. AAR’s aftermarket position is based on helping operators keep aircraft flying after delivery. Its parts business covers both new and used components, with the company recognized as a significant global seller of used aircraft parts. Its maintenance activities support aircraft airworthiness, reliability and fleet availability, while its supply-chain services are intended to reduce procurement complexity, inventory burdens and aircraft-on-ground delays. The company also serves government and defense aviation programs, giving it exposure to public-sector maintenance and logistics requirements in addition to commercial airline cycles. AAR’s scale includes approximately 6,000 employees and operations or customer activity in roughly 30 countries, according to the cited company description. Its major maintenance network has included facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina; Indianapolis; Lake City, Florida; Miami; Oklahoma City; Rockford, Illinois; Trois-Rivières, Quebec; and Windsor, Ontario. The Indianapolis location was announced for permanent closure by February 28, 2027, while the company expanded elsewhere through the acquisition of HAECO Americas in 2025 and a proposed acquisition of Aircraft Reconfig Technologies. Leadership has included David P. Storch, who served as chief executive from 1996 through 2018, followed by John M. Holmes, who became CEO in 2018 and is identified as the current chief executive in the cited reference material. AAR’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIR. The company reported approximately $2.5 billion in revenue for 2024 according to the cited Wikipedia reference; the figure should be read as a period-specific reference rather than a current financial forecast. AAR’s competitive proposition combines aviation parts availability, repair capability, regulatory compliance, technical expertise and logistics support across the aircraft lifecycle.
History
AAR Corp. began in 1951 when Ira Allen Eichner established a business supplying radios and other equipment to commercial aviation. The company was incorporated as I.A. Allen Industrial in 1955. As its aviation activities developed, it adopted the name Allen Aircraft Radio in 1962 and became AAR CORP. in 1970. These name changes accompanied a gradual expansion from radio-related equipment into a wider aviation parts and services business. The company entered aircraft maintenance in 1969, beginning an important transition toward the aviation aftermarket and MRO sectors. Instead of concentrating on new-aircraft production, AAR built capabilities that support aircraft after they enter service. Those capabilities include replacement-parts supply, repair and overhaul, inventory planning, procurement, warehousing, logistics and technical support. The company sells both new and used parts and has become a significant participant in the global market for used aircraft components. AAR expanded internationally as aviation customers and maintenance requirements became increasingly global. The reference history records expansion into Europe in 1965 and the opening of a Singapore office in 1982. The company also developed government and defense aviation activities, giving it a customer mix that extends beyond commercial airlines to military organizations, public agencies and other government operators. Its business therefore combines exposure to commercial flight activity and fleet maintenance cycles with longer-term government aviation programs. AAR organized Aircraft Turbine Center, Inc. in 1979. David P. Storch, who was related to founder Ira Eichner by marriage, joined the company and later became a central figure in its management. Storch served as chief executive officer from 1996 until 2018. John M. Holmes became CEO in 2018 and is identified in the reference material as the current chief executive. The modern company operates as an aviation aftermarket platform with parts distribution, MRO and supply-chain activities. Its maintenance network has included major facilities in Greensboro, Indianapolis, Lake City, Miami, Oklahoma City, Rockford, Trois-Rivières and Windsor. The cited reference indicates that the Indianapolis site was scheduled for permanent closure by February 28, 2027, reflecting the continuing need to adjust the company’s operating footprint. AAR pursued further expansion in 2025. In November, it announced an agreement to purchase HAECO Americas for $78 million. The transaction covered HAECO Americas operations and approximately 1,600 employees in Greensboro and Lake City, strengthening AAR’s heavy-aircraft maintenance presence. In December, AAR also announced an agreement to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions for $35 million in cash. That proposed acquisition was intended to add engineering and certification capabilities to the repair and engineering segment and was subject to customary closing and regulatory conditions. The company has also faced regulatory and reputational challenges. In December 2024, AAR agreed to resolve U.S. investigations concerning alleged bribery schemes involving officials connected to Nepal Airlines and South African Airways contracts. The resolution involved more than $55 million in payments. Separately, reference material described increased lobbying and spending at Trump-owned properties during the first Trump administration, alongside a significant increase in federal contract awards. These matters form part of the company’s public record and should be distinguished from its ordinary operating activities. AAR is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, employs approximately 6,000 people according to the cited reference and operates in about 30 countries. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under AIR. The company’s long-term development has been characterized by movement from aviation equipment supply into integrated aftermarket support, combining parts availability, maintenance expertise and logistics for commercial, government and defense customers.
- 2025
HAECO Americas acquisition announced
[1]AAR announced a $78 million agreement to acquire HAECO Americas and its heavy-aircraft maintenance operations in Greensboro and Lake City.
- 2025
Aircraft Reconfig Technologies acquisition announced
[1]AAR announced a proposed $35 million cash acquisition of Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions.
- 2024
Bribery investigations resolved
[1]AAR agreed to pay more than $55 million to resolve U.S. investigations concerning alleged bribery involving Nepalese and South African officials.
- 2018
John M. Holmes became CEO
[1]John M. Holmes succeeded David P. Storch as chief executive officer.
- 1996
David P. Storch became CEO
[1]David P. Storch began his tenure as chief executive officer.
- 1982
Singapore office opened
[1]AAR opened an office in Singapore as part of its international expansion.
- 1979
Aircraft Turbine Center organized
[1]AAR organized Aircraft Turbine Center, Inc., supporting its development in turbine-related aviation services.
- 1970
Became AAR CORP.
[1]The company changed its name to AAR CORP.
- 1969
Aircraft maintenance business began
[1]AAR began its aircraft maintenance business in Oklahoma City.
- 1965
European expansion
[1]AAR expanded its operations into Europe.
Products and positioning
A global aviation aftermarket, MRO and supply-chain partner for airlines, aircraft operators, manufacturers and government or defense customers.
Aviation parts
Aircraft parts distribution
AAR supplies new and used replacement parts for aircraft structures, engines and associated systems. Its distribution activities connect manufacturers, parts owners and operators, while inventory and procurement services help customers obtain components needed for scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs.
Aviation parts
Used-serviceable-material sales
The company sells used and serviceable aircraft components, a segment in which it is described as one of the larger global participants. These parts can provide operators with alternatives to new components during maintenance and fleet-support programs, subject to applicable technical, certification and airworthiness requirements.
Aircraft MRO · 1969
Maintenance, repair and overhaul services
AAR performs maintenance, repair and overhaul work for aircraft and aviation components. Its MRO network supports commercial and government customers and is designed to help operators maintain airworthiness, extend asset service life and improve fleet availability.
Aviation logistics
Aviation supply-chain management
AAR provides inventory planning, purchasing, warehousing, distribution and logistics support for aviation customers. These services are intended to improve parts availability, reduce procurement complexity and support aircraft maintenance programs across geographically distributed fleets.
Aviation engineering
Engineering and certification services
Through its repair and engineering activities, AAR provides technical engineering and certification capabilities associated with aircraft repairs, component work and cabin or aircraft reconfiguration projects. The proposed Aircraft Reconfig Technologies acquisition was intended to broaden this capability.
Controversies
2024
Resolution of bribery investigations involving Nepal and South Africa
AAR agreed to resolve U.S. Department of Justice and SEC investigations concerning alleged schemes to bribe officials connected with contracts involving Nepal Airlines and South African Airways. The resolution required payments exceeding $55 million.
2020
Lobbying and federal-contract scrutiny
Reference material reported that AAR substantially increased lobbying expenditures during the first Trump administration and spent significant sums at Trump-owned properties. It also reported that AAR obtained 10 new federal contracts worth $1.35 billion from the start of the administration through October 2020.
Brand decisions
2025
Acquire HAECO AmericasM&ABackground
AAR sought to expand its heavy-aircraft maintenance footprint through HAECO Americas operations in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Lake City, Florida.
Action taken
AAR announced an agreement to purchase HAECO Americas for $78 million.
Aftermath
The transaction was presented as a major expansion of AAR’s North American MRO platform. The cited material does not establish all subsequent closing details.
Acquisition price. $78 million announced transaction value (November 2025)
2025
Acquire Aircraft Reconfig TechnologiesM&ABackground
AAR sought to strengthen engineering and certification capabilities within its repair and engineering segment.
Action taken
AAR agreed to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions in an all-cash transaction.
Aftermath
The proposed acquisition remained subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals in the cited reference material.
Acquisition price. $35 million announced transaction value (December 2025)
2025
Close Indianapolis maintenance locationStrategyBackground
AAR announced a change to its maintenance-facility footprint while expanding other MRO operations.
Action taken
The company announced that its Indianapolis location would permanently close by February 28, 2027.
Aftermath
The closure is expected to reduce the company’s operating footprint at that site; the cited material does not provide further details about employee transitions or replacement capacity.
Recent events
- 2025
AAR announced acquisition of HAECO Americas[1]
M&A
AAR and HAECO announced that AAR would purchase HAECO Americas, including major heavy-aircraft maintenance operations in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Lake City, Florida, for $78 million.
- 2025
AAR agreed to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies[1]
M&A
AAR entered into an agreement to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions in an all-cash transaction valued at $35 million. The proposed deal was intended to expand engineering and certification capabilities and remained subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
- 2025
AAR announced planned closure of its Indianapolis facility[1]
Other
AAR announced that its Indianapolis location would be permanently closed by February 28, 2027.
Sources4 sources
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