DULUTH — AAR Aircraft Services has signed an extended contract with Air Canada, its primary customer, meaning hundreds of jobs will stay in Duluth for the foreseeable future.

The two signed a new five-year contract that will ensure AAR will service Air Canada jets at its Duluth maintenance hub through at least 2019. WDIO-TV (http://bit.ly/1hSk1lV ) reports AAR reopened the old Northwest maintenance base in 2012.

AAR currently has three maintenance lines going which employ 305. The company plans to launch the fourth line in September and is looking to hire 55 more people. Most jobs are for licensed aircraft mechanics.