West Star Aviation

West Star Aviation is the largest FBO at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton, Illinois, operating a major facility with over 323,000 square feet of hangar, shop, and office space alongside more than 200,000 square feet of ramp area. The most recent expansion, Hangar 67, was completed in August 2024 and added 75,700 square feet including 40,000 square feet of dedicated hangar space and 35,700 square feet of support space for advanced modification work. West Star is primarily an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) operation, specializing in airframe repair, engine maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation, interior refurbishment, paint, and accessory services. The company maintains specialized shops for interior work, cabinetry, and avionics, along with a dedicated paint facility. For charter passengers, the FBO function is secondary to the maintenance operation, but the facility provides full ground handling services for transient aircraft. St. Louis Regional Airport sits on the east side of the Mississippi River in Illinois, approximately 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis via Interstate 270. The primary runway (8,100 feet) handles most business jet types without restriction. The airport avoids the traffic and congestion of St. Louis Lambert International, making arrivals and departures faster. For passengers whose aircraft requires maintenance work during a trip, West Star's presence means the aircraft can receive attention while the passengers continue to their destination. The facility is less focused on passenger amenities than a typical stand-alone FBO, but delivers competent ground handling at an airport with excellent highway access to the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.