ESTERO, Florida--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2025--
Western Global Airlines, Inc., the “can-do airline,” announced today that it had opened a new base maintenance facility at Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville, Arkansas. The new facility includes a 50,000 ft 2 hangar, 40,000 ft 2 of stores capacity, and is adjacent to a premier suite of aviation component repair, sheet metal, and machine shops. Maintenance operations for WGA at the site are expected to commence in June 2025.
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“We are pleased to announce the relocation of our base maintenance operations from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Blytheville, Arkansas,” said James K. Neff, WGA’s CEO and Founder. “With its access to outstanding back shop capabilities, a highly supportive airport authority, and a much more attractive cost of living, BYH will be a huge improvement for our fixed base maintenance operations going forward.”
In addition to its new base maintenance operation in Blytheville, the company will continue to maintain line maintenance operations at airports across the world, including Columbus, Ohio; Ft. Myers, Florida; Ostend, Belgium; and Shenzhen, China.
About Western Global Airlines. Established in 2013 and based in Estero, Florida, Western Global Airlines is an FAA Part 121 certified cargo airline operating globally for the world’s leading airlines, multi-national freight forwarders, and the United States Air Mobility Command. With an operating fleet of fourteen B747-400Fs and MD-11Fs, WGA has carried millions of tons of wide-body cargo to over 400 cities in 135 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.westernglobalairlines.com.
Aerial photograph of WGA’s new Hangar 1 at Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville, AR.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.
Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.
“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.
As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.
Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.
The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.
In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.
In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.
Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.
State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.
In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.
FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)
