Eastern Airlines Relocates Headquarters to Kansas City, Missouri

Eastern Airlines has chosen Kansas City International in Missouri as the new home for its headquarters, marking a significant consolidation of its operations in the area. This move comes after the airline’s 2021 initiation of Foxtrot Aero, a passenger-to-freighter design firm, and its acquisition of the MRO facility Alta Aero Technic.

The airline plans to invest over USD4.7 million and is set to create 165 new jobs in Missouri, encompassing a range of positions such as maintenance professionals, pilots, and flight operations staff. Eastern Airlines’ choice to centralize its headquarters in Kansas City underscores the city’s historic significance in the aviation sector and builds on the positive experiences the carrier has had with its existing businesses at MCI Airport.

Stephen Buscher, Eastern Airlines Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the pivotal role of local enthusiasm and the incentives offered through the Missouri Works program in their decision-making process. The move is further supported by Missouri One Start, an initiative by the Missouri Department of Economic Development aimed at aiding eligible businesses with recruitment and training.

Eastern Airlines’ fleet, as detailed by the ch-aviation fleets module, consists of 13 aircraft, including models such as the B767-200, B767-200(ER)s, B767-300ERs, and B777-200ERs, with four aircraft dedicated to services for the United States Air Force. The airline has a significant presence at Kansas City, with 10-15 aircraft typically parked at its hangar facilities, and is focused on expanding its fleet and operational footprint at the airport over time.

Furthermore, the airline recently expanded its operations through the launch of Eastern Air Express after acquiring Hillwood Airways in November 2023. This subsidiary operates a fleet of four aircraft, including three B737-700s and one B737-700(QC), underlining Eastern Airlines’ growth strategy and commitment to enhancing its service offerings and operational capabilities from its new Missouri headquarters.