HARLINGEN, Texas — Gulf Aviation, a family-owned fixed-base operator (FBO) at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, has officially relaunched its in-house aircraft maintenance department, marking a major milestone in the company’s post-pandemic resurgence.
The move aims to expand service options for aircraft owners across South Texas while building a talent pipeline in partnership with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to retain skilled aviation professionals in the Rio Grande Valley.
Arlene Garza, president and owner of Gulf Aviation, highlighted the significance of the relaunch during a recent interview with the Rio Grande Guardian. Gulf Aviation, which has been in operation for over 47 years, holds a unique position in the regional aviation landscape as the only 100 percent minority, woman-owned FBO in the region.
Editor's Note: Here is a video recording the Guardian secured with Arlene Garza, Gulf Aviation's president, Jason Alvarez, the aircraft maintenance specialist, and David Garza, an A&P mechanic.
In the early 1990s, Gulf Aviation operated one of the region's largest aircraft maintenance operations. However, the economic disruption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to downsize.
"COVID caused a lot of uncertainty around the world, and we were forced to make cuts," Garza said. "Unfortunately, aircraft maintenance was one of the cuts we made because we simply did not know where the industry was going to be 12 months down the road."
Garza noted that the company has since bounced back alongside the broader aviation industry, creating the right conditions to bring maintenance capabilities back under Gulf Aviation's direct control.
"Everything is growing and improving, and we want to jump on that and grow with the industry," Garza explained. "Aircraft maintenance is essential to daily operations, whether you own an aircraft or not. Everything in aviation revolves around maintenance, and having it internal allows us to properly support our own fleet as well as regional aircraft owners."
Garza emphasized that Gulf Aviation’s customer-service-driven approach sets its maintenance department apart from competitors, offering local aircraft owners a reliable, high-quality option in South Texas.
"Having another service provider in the area is always good for the consumer," Garza said. "The feedback so far has been very positive, and we are excited to prove ourselves as we re-establish our presence in the market."
Looking ahead, Garza envisions tripling the maintenance department's workforce over the next five years. Achieving that goal, she said, relies heavily on strengthening Gulf Aviation’s partnership with neighboring TSTC in Harlingen.
TSTC’s Harlingen campus offers an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic program modeled after its established curriculum in Waco, providing local students with hands-on training for careers in aviation maintenance.
The partnership was recently showcased when TSTC faculty reached out to Gulf Aviation to assist in transporting two Cessna 172 aircraft donated from the Waco campus to the Harlingen facility. Gulf Aviation prepped and safely trailered the aircraft to TSTC’s campus, a process witnessed by TSTC leadership, including Dr. Gina Cano-Monreal and Dr. Eladio Jaimez.
"It was a huge success, and everyone was through-the-roof excited," Garza said. "We are very proud to be considered for these opportunities and are actively working toward establishing an apprenticeship program with TSTC."
The proposed apprenticeship program aims to train future A&P mechanics and keep homegrown talent in the Rio Grande Valley—a critical need as regional demand for technical skill sets continues to climb.
The demand for aviation mechanics and engineers in South Texas has surged in recent years, driven in part by the rapid expansion of nearby commercial and aerospace ventures, including SpaceX in Boca Chica.
While the influx of aerospace industry giants presents economic opportunities for the region, it also creates fierce competition for local employers seeking skilled labor.
"SpaceX is sweeping up engineers and aircraft mechanics so fast that it makes it challenging for smaller operators to compete," Garza acknowledged. "That’s why building the local workforce is so critical. The market demand is high, and we have to focus on growing our own knowledge-based mechanics right here in the Valley to match that need."
As Gulf Aviation continues to ramp up operations, Garza remains optimistic about the maintenance department’s role in supporting both local aircraft owners and the broader economic development of the Rio Grande Valley.
