AAR Corp. is an American provider of aircraft maintenance services to commercial and government customers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. The company employs about 6,000 people, operating in about 30 different countries. John Holmes is the current CEO.[1]
AAR sells both new and used parts and is one of the largest in the world for selling used parts. AAR has about $2.5 billion in revenue as of 2024. As of January 2026, the company operates major maintenance facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina, Indianapolis (closing February 28, 2027), Lake City, Miami, Oklahoma City, and Rockford, Illinois as well as Trois Rivieres, Quebec and Windsor, Ontario in Canada.[2]
History
The company was founded by Ira Allen Eichner in 1951, to supply radios and other equipment to the commercial aviation industry.[3] I.A. Allen Industrial was incorporated in 1955, renamed Allen Aircraft Radio (AAR) in 1962, and became AAR CORP. in 1970.[3] Also, in 1969, AAR began its aircraft maintenance business in Oklahoma City. In 1965, AAR expanded to Europe and opened a Singapore office in 1982.[4]
AAR organized its Aircraft Turbine Center, Inc. in 1979 after future CEO David P. Storch, Eichner's son-in-law, joined the company.[3]
David P. Storch was CEO from 1996 to 2018. In 2018, John M. Holmes became CEO.[5]
On November 3, 2025, AAR and HAECO Americas, with 1600 employees in Greensboro, North Carolina and Lake City, Florida, announced that AAR had purchased the HAECO subsidiary for $78 million. At the time, HAECO Americas was the second-largest heavy aircraft maintenance company in North America, with AAR being number one.[6]
In December 2025, it was announced that AAR had entered into an agreement to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions for US$35 million in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition was intended to expand AAR’s engineering and certification capabilities within its repair and engineering segment and was subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.[7] In late December 2025, it was announced that AAR would be permanently closing its Indianapolis location by February 28, 2027.[8]
Lobbying and corruption
During the first Trump administration, AAR quadrupled its lobbying expenditures.[9] The company spent large sums at Trump-owned properties with the intent to get Trump to view the company more favorably.[9] From the time Trump took office until October 2020, AAR obtained 10 new federal contracts worth a total of $1.35 billion.[9]
In December 2024, AAR agreed to resolve U.S. charges in connection with schemes to bribe Nepalese and South African officials related to contracts with state-owned flag carriers Nepal Airlines and South African Airways. AAR agreed to pay more than $55 million to resolve investigations done by the Justice Department and SEC.[10][11]
Financial trends
Annual financial highlights (U.S. Dollars in millions except per share data):
See also
External links
References
- Mad Money – 4/19/24 | Audio Only April 19, 2024^
- Global reach locations retrieved January 22, 2026^
- AAR Corp. History Funding Universe, January 17, 2018, retrieved April 29, 2022^
- History Of AAR – 60th Anniversary Aviation Week Network, retrieved March 24, 2021^
- AAR. AAR CEO David P. Storch Announces Plans to Retire www.prnewswire.com, retrieved December 24, 2021^
- Richard Craver. PTI's HAECO Americas sells for $78M to competitor Greensboro News and Record, November 4, 2025^
- Aircraft Cabin Management Aviation Business News, 2025-12-22, retrieved 2025-12-22^
- Doninger Doninger. Mass layoff alert: AAR Aircraft Services to close Indianapolis site by 2027 wishtv.com, December 30, 2025, retrieved January 22, 2026^
- Nicholas Confessore, Karen Yourish, Steve Eder, Ben Protess, Maggie Haberman, Grace Ashford, Michael LaForgia, Kenneth P. Vogel. The Swamp That Trump Built The New York Times, October 10, 2020, retrieved October 10, 2020^
- Aerospace firm AAR settles US charges over bribing foreign officials December 20, 2024^
- Office of Public Affairs. AAR CORP to Pay Over $55M To Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation United States Department of Justice, 2024-12-19, retrieved 2025-09-10^
- 2023 Form 10-K U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, July 18, 2023, retrieved February 14, 2024^
- Financial Reports AAR CORP, retrieved March 30, 2022^