Aerospace Leaders Highlight Investment and Innovation in St. Louis Region

Leaders from Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and West Star Aviation highlighted significant investments in facilities, technology, and workforce development initiatives at the 2026 Global Aerospace Summit. The event showcased the St. Louis region's role as a major center for aerospace manufacturing and aircraft maintenance.

Chad Nicklaus, Director of St. Louis Site Integration and manufacturing leader for Boeing's St. Louis operations, said that Boeing is expanding its capacity for defense programs, including the F-15EX, to meet growing demand. The company will invest $1.8 billion to increase production rate from one aircraft a month to two.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.'s Vice President and General Manager St. Louis Completions, Tony Ray, described his company's continued growth at St. Louis Downtown Airport, where it has added over 200 new jobs and delivered its first locally completed aircraft in 2023. Gulfstream is also investing in advanced manufacturing, flight-deck and cabin technologies, as well as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

West Star Aviation's Director of Bombardier Business Development, Brian Bauwens, discussed the company's growing MRO presence at St. Louis Regional Airport, where it operates more than 600,000 square feet of facilities and employs over 700 people. West Star is also pursuing additional foreign aviation authority certifications to attract customers from outside the US.

All three panelists emphasized the importance of workforce availability in future growth, with Boeing's mechanic apprenticeship program producing 230 graduates who have moved into regular production positions.