A BASINGSTOKE-based aircraft maintenance firm will be shutting up shop in the new year.

Goodrich Landing Services - part of the US-based Goodrich Corporation - has employed 72 people at Chineham Business Park for the past 10 years.

The facility is primarily involved in the maintenance and overhaul of aircraft landing gear.

The events of September 11 and the resulting drop in air travel have hit the company hard.

No-one at the Chineham base would comment on the closure. However, North Carolina-based media relations manager Gail Warner told The Gazette: "The closure of the Basingstoke facility was part of a global economic rationalisation plan announced in October."

The cost-cutting plan has made 2,400 employees redundant at 16 sites worldwide.

Ms Warner said: "With the current economy and the detrimental effects on the aeronautical industry, we had to take action.

"The work of the Basingstoke facility will be completed at one of our other sites."

She added: "Staff are being paid a severance package and being given as much help as possible to find them out-placements."

The facility will close its doors on January 18 but 11 staff will stay until May to complete administrative tasks.