WINNIPEG, Manitoba — WestJet is moving ahead with plans to establish a major aircraft maintenance facility in Winnipeg, marking a significant investment in Manitoba’s aviation industry and creating new employment opportunities for local workers.
The Calgary-based airline announced Wednesday, November 4, 2026, that it will become the first anchor tenant at AirLink Business Park, a new commercial development on the western lands of Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
The project will involve constructing a 73,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance hangar on more than nine acres of airport property. The facility is expected to be completed by late 2028 and will support WestJet’s growing operations in Winnipeg.
New Hangar to Support WestJet’s Winnipeg Operations
The proposed hangar is being designed to accommodate two aircraft at a time, including the Boeing 737 MAX-10. Once operational, the facility is expected to support the basing of up to 42 narrow-body aircraft in Winnipeg.
The development will allow WestJet to carry out aircraft maintenance locally, strengthening its operational capacity and supporting the airline’s plans to expand its network from the Manitoba capital.
WestJet currently operates flights to 35 destinations from Winnipeg and employs more than 500 people in the city. The new facility is expected to add approximately 50 aircraft maintenance engineer positions to its existing workforce.
The additional jobs will create opportunities for skilled aviation professionals, particularly aircraft maintenance engineers. The project is also expected to strengthen Winnipeg’s position as an important centre for Canada’s aerospace and aviation sectors.
Winnipeg Airports Authority Welcomes Major Investment
The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) welcomed WestJet’s decision to establish the facility at the airport, describing the airline’s participation as an important step in developing AirLink Business Park.
WAA president and chief executive officer Nick Hays said welcoming WestJet as the development’s first intended anchor tenant would help create employment, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and diversify Canada’s supply chains.
WestJet is expected to sign a 25-year lease for the property, according to reporting by the Winnipeg Free Press. The Winnipeg Airports Authority will be responsible for building the hangar.
The development is part of a broader plan to transform airport-adjacent land into a business and industrial hub capable of attracting aviation, logistics and other commercial operations.
AirLink Business Park Expected to Generate Thousands of Jobs
The aircraft maintenance hangar represents an early stage of a much larger development project.
At full build-out, AirLink Business Park is expected to accommodate up to 2.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial development. The broader project is projected to support approximately 2,770 jobs and generate an estimated $24.4 million in annual property tax revenue for the City of Winnipeg.
The development is expected to attract businesses that depend on direct access to airport facilities, including companies involved in aviation, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and logistics.
The airport lands have also received significant public investment to prepare them for commercial development. In February 2026, the federal government announced $10 million in funding, while the Manitoba government committed $5 million. The Winnipeg Airports Authority is contributing $17 million toward the first phase of the infrastructure project.
Boost for Manitoba’s Aviation and Skilled Workforce
WestJet’s investment is expected to provide benefits beyond the airline itself by creating demand for specialized workers and supporting businesses connected to the aviation industry.
Aircraft maintenance facilities require skilled technicians, engineers and other professionals responsible for inspecting, repairing and maintaining aircraft to meet safety and operational standards.
The project could also strengthen Winnipeg’s existing aerospace industry, which includes companies involved in aircraft maintenance, manufacturing and related services.
For Manitoba, attracting a major airline maintenance facility represents an opportunity to expand its aviation-related economic activity while creating additional skilled employment.
Construction Expected to Be Completed in 2028
With construction planned at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, the next major milestone will be developing the facility and preparing it for operations.
The hangar is targeted for completion in late 2028. Once operational, it will give WestJet additional maintenance capacity while supporting the basing of more narrow-body aircraft in Winnipeg.
The announcement marks a major development for the city’s airport economy and reinforces Winnipeg’s efforts to attract investment in aviation and aerospace.
As the AirLink Business Park project progresses, WestJet’s new facility is expected to become an important part of the airport’s expanding commercial landscape.
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