J.A. Air Center

Ryan's design-build delivery key to success
The longtime West Chicago-based J.A. Air, an airplane service company, chose Ryan for the its ability to take on difficult projects with constrained timelines. Ryan delivered a facility in accordance with J.A. Air’s goals by utilizing its design-build delivery, and because of the field team’s excellent planning and communication with the owner and airport staff.

The design-build team converted an existing aircraft hangar into J.A. Air’s center of operations. A two-story glass and metal entrance tower with a cantilevered vehicle canopy brings J.A.’s clients into the former hangar space, now a high-end customer service center. A curved bulkhead and columns define the waiting lounge where customers can watch through a 20-foot-high, angled glass curtainwall for their plane to pull up under a 17,500 square foot canopy. Conference rooms, a café, customer service counter, pilot’s lounge and operation offices fill the rest of the space. Rich wood panels and ceramic tile give the space a sense of warmth and elegance. Three other buildings were remodeled to provide aircraft service and storage, and tenant office space.