American Airlines Group Inc.

06/30/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/30/2026 11:10

American Airlines, Tarrant County College team up to tap top North Texas talent

  • American Airlines and Tarrant County College announce new partnership to strengthen the aviation talent pipeline and prepare the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs).
  • Students gain ongoing engagement and mentorship opportunities with American's maintenance professionals and access to the airline's world-class maintenance facilities.
  • American's 1,400 DFW-based AMTs will pass down their expertise to help meet the industry's growing need for highly skilled aviation maintenance professionals.
  • Top-performing students to receive guaranteed interviews with American under the memorandum of understanding.

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines and Tarrant County College announced a new partnership today, creating a direct pathway for aspiring aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) to careers at American. Through this memorandum of understanding, top candidates from Tarrant County College's (TCC) Aviation Maintenance Technology program will have priority access to interviews, mentorship and engagement opportunities with American's maintenance professionals and exposure to the airline's world-class maintenance facilities.

"This partnership with Tarrant County College reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians," said American's Managing Director of Maintenance Operations Control and Training Jess Barrier. "Our industry is facing a growing need for highly skilled maintenance professionals, and partnerships like this are essential to meeting that demand. We are creating a critical pathway for students to build the experience and connections they need to pursue rewarding and high-paying careers while strengthening the industry. American has proudly served Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 50 years, and our team of locally based AMTs is committed to passing on their knowledge and experience to the future of aviation maintenance."

Tarrant County College Chancellor Dr. Elva LeBlanc and American's Managing Director of Maintenance Operations Control Jess Barrier formalized the partnership between Tarrant County College and American Tuesday morning.

Today's announcement formalizes an existing relationship between the two North Texas institutions. American's team of aviation maintenance professionals has worked closely with TCC students for several years, sharing an inside look at the airline's maintenance operation and providing career guidance. American's AMTs also mentored the TCC student team in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition.

Tarrant County College's Northwest Campus President Zarina Blankenbaker said the agreement reinforces the college's leadership in aviation education and workforce responsiveness.

"Our students are preparing for careers in one of the nation's most critical industries," Blankenbaker said. "This partnership provides direct access to professional expectations and meaningful career opportunities with a world-renowned aviation leader."

Aspiring AMTs typically study for 18-24 months at an FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician school like Tarrant County College and must pass exams to earn their FAA Airframe and Powerplant certificate before they can start maintaining aircraft. In DFW, American employs more than 1,400 AMTs in base and line maintenance operations, including many TCC alumni, who help maintain the airline's growing mainline fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft.

American and its wholly owned carriers employ more than 7,000 team members at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), part of the more than 37,000 team members in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Candidates interested in joining American's team at DFW or around the globe can view available opportunities and apply online at jobs.aa.com.

About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)

American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200 million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000 aviation professionals, American's team lives out the airline's purpose of caring for people on life's journey every day.

The world's largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026, reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever Forward℠ spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.

Get the latest about American at news.aa.com and @AmericanAir.

About Tarrant County College

Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students annually through six campuses and TCC Connect, the College's online campus. The College partners with more than 1,200 employers across North Texas to help build workforce pathways aligned with regional industry needs. TCC's aviation programs prepare students for careers supporting one of the nation's busiest and fastest-growing aviation regions. Bold Steps. Better Futures.

American Airlines Group Inc. published this content on June 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 30, 2026 at 17:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]