The Port of Portland has approved a ground lease for Alaska Airlines to construct a new maintenance operations hangar at Portland International Airport, representing a US$ 135 million investment in the airport’s infrastructure and workforce.
Groundbreaking is expected in summer 2026, with construction requiring more than 200 workers over a project timeline of nearly two years.
The new facility will create over 100 permanent living-wage positions for maintenance workers, engineers and service professionals, generating an estimated US$ 2 million in state and local tax revenues annually once operational.
Construction spending is projected to contribute an additional US$ 8.7 million in state and local taxes over the course of the build.
The hangar will operate in conjunction with Alaska Airlines’ existing Horizon Air facility at PDX, enabling faster recovery for out-of-service aircraft and reinforcing Portland International Airport’s role as a key West Coast hub for the airline’s long-term operations.
Alaska Airlines is among PDX’s most significant partners, currently operating 62 nonstop destinations and employing more than 2,900 people in the Portland region across Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines.
Dan Pippenger, Port of Portland Chief Aviation Officer, described the investment as a reflection of the strong partnership between the port and Alaska Airlines, and framed it as a commitment to creating quality employment opportunities that support regional economic growth and community prosperity.
