Aviation Company Closing Means Loss of 300 Jobs In Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem's North State Aviation is closing down for good, leading to layoffs of more than 300 workers.

The company started with high hopes back in 2011, using employees and expertise dating back to the days of Piedmont Airlines. The company informed state officials this week that an unforeseen downturn in business resulted in the closure.

Katie Arcieri has been covering the story for the Triad Business Journal. She talked to company CEO Gary Smith, who told her the end of a contract from a major airline left the company without the means to go on.

“The United Airlines business that they had has gone away. Ninety-percent of their revenue was coming from United - at one point they had six lines of business with United,” she says. “The company did try to secure that business and they no longer have it.”

Arcieri says North State had been feeling increased competition from businesses in Mexico and South America. The company is based in a renovated Piedmont Airlines building at Smith-Reynolds Airport.