WACO Aircraft Abruptly Closes Factory

Historic biplane manufacturer in Michigan shuts down operations ‘effective immediately.’

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 01:38 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

2024 Waco YMF-5 [Credit: WACO Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

WACO Aircraft Corp., along with Centennial Aircraft Services and Dimor Group Inc., abruptly ceased all aircraft production and maintenance operations, closing its Battle Creek, Michigan factory.
Employees were informed suddenly via email and a sign on the factory door, receiving instructions not to return to work.
The closure is unexpected, especially as the German owner, Dimor Group, had only announced plans in February 2025 to invest $12 million in a new factory to expand production.

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WACO Aircraft Corp. abruptly shuttered its Battle Creek, Michigan, factory and ceased operations Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Employees reportedly left the facility Tuesday afternoon only to receive an email shortly after instructing them not to return to work, while a sign posted on the factory door confirmed the closure of the aircraft production and maintenance provider.