Governor Laura Kelly today visited McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita to celebrate the rapidly growing Maintenance Repair and Overhaul program at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).
WSU-NIAR WERX, in conjunction with the Kansas Modification Center, today received their first Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft, which they will convert into a freighter that will be transferred to an external client to meet the growing needs of the e-commerce and express cargo market.
“There is no better state than Kansas to take full advantage of this project – the opportunity is tailor-made for our state and our aerospace assets,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration will continue to be a strong partner to NIAR and the Kansas Modification Center as they pursue this program that will strengthen our aviation sector and boost our economy. We’re excited to see this project move forward and become just one of the many reasons Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World.”
Learn more about the 777 conversion program here.
The below photos of today’s celebration are available for media use:
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