AAR wins maintenance and modifications contract from Virgin America

AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) announced today that is has been awarded an eighteen month contract from Virgin America to provide maintenance and installation services for the airline’s growing fleet of Airbus 320 series aircraft.

Through its Aircraft Services facility in Miami, Fla., AAR will perform comprehensive heavy maintenance “D-Checks” on Virgin America’s existing fleet of aircraft and install seating and advanced in-flight entertainment systems (IFEs) on their upcoming aircraft deliveries from Airbus. The Virgin America aircraft feature some of the most sophisticated and feature-rich IFEs in use today, providing passengers with in-flight access to satellite TV, movies, games, Internet and personal mood lighting.

AAR’s President and Chief Operating Officer Timothy J. Romenesko said, “In four years, Virgin America built a thriving airline with a reputation for value and high-quality service. We are enthusiastic about working with them to maintain their A320 fleet and provide passengers with the very best in on-board entertainment.”

“We are pleased to partner with AAR to continue to offer our guests the best in-flight entertainment in the domestic skies,” said Mark Bianchi, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Virgin America. “AAR is a key partner as we continue to grow in the North American market and bring our low-fare, upscale service to more new destinations in 2011 and beyond.”

AAR was recently named a Top-Performing Company by Aviation Week and Space Technology, and ranked the number one U.S.-based company in all categories of Overhaul & Maintenance magazine’s biennial “Top 10 MRO” report.