PSA Airlines Opens Charlotte Headquarters, Bringing 400 Jobs

PSA Airlines threw open the doors to its new headquarters in Charlotte on Thursday. The American Airlines subsidiary packed up and left Dayton, Ohio, behind. This shift delivers 400 jobs to Mecklenburg County while pumping an estimated $228 million into North Carolina's economy each year.

Gov. Josh Stein showed up at the ceremony alongside business leaders and elected officials. The building had already welcomed more than 450 workers back in January. PSA now stands as the only passenger airline with its main office in the state.

"North Carolina is First in Flight and the future of flight," said Stein in prepared remarks, per governor.nc.gov. "PSA Airlines' decision to move its headquarters to Charlotte is a testament to North Carolina's top-tier workforce and strong aviation industry."

The five-story structure rises in Water Ridge Office Park, positioned about two miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Researchers at NC State's Institute for Transportation Research and Education crunched the numbers. They found the headquarters will kick back $10 million in state and local taxes annually. Around 470 additional jobs will sprout up among suppliers and other businesses across the state.

PSA announced the Ohio departure in January 2025. Every affected Dayton worker got a chance to pack their bags and head south. Forty percent said yes — that beat what the company expected by 50%. Nearly 35,000 people applied for roughly 250 Charlotte positions.

"Charlotte is an aviation-rich talent market and we're very excited to be here, as we're already realizing the vast potential it offers," said Dion Flannery, President and CEO of PSA Airlines. "Our headquarters here represents more than a new home — it's a long-term investment in our people, the community, and in the economic growth we're helping drive for North Carolina."

The airline runs an average of 730 flights daily. Of those, 130 take off from Charlotte. PSA flew almost 14.5 million passengers last year — more than 25% of American's regional travelers. The company has 5,449 people on its payroll, with 2,179 stationed in Charlotte.

Flannery made it clear the airline turned down government handouts. PSA didn't ask for state or local incentives. "We bet on the proposition that this community can serve us well, and boy were we right," said Flannery, according to Business North Carolina.

The headquarters holds management staff and operational teams, which includes the Integrated Operations Center. Four floors bustle with activity. The third floor sits empty, waiting for the company to grow.

More than 400 aerospace companies have planted roots in North Carolina. They pour over $88 billion into the state's economy. The American Airlines hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport supports nearly 150,000 jobs and generates more than $30 billion in economic output across the state.