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BENGALURU- Tata-owned Air India Group initiated the construction of a large-scale Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru (BLR), demonstrating its dedication to strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem.
The 35-acre facility at Bangalore International Airport will serve as a crucial maintenance hub for Air India Group Airlines’ expanding global operations.
(Left to right): Mr. Chin Yau Seng, CEO, SIA Engineering Company, P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Regulatory, Compliance (GRC) and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India, Ms. Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Sisira Kanta Dash Chief Technical Officer, Air India | Photo: Air IndiaAir India MRO
Key officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Gunjan Krishna from the Government of Karnataka, Hari Marar from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), and Chin Yau Seng from SIA Engineering Company.
Air India (AI) previously signed agreements with the Karnataka government and SIA Engineering Company for the facility’s establishment and development.
Gunjan Krishna praised Air India’s swift action, highlighting the project’s significance for Indian aviation and Karnataka’s growing role in the sector.
It is heartening to see the quick turnaround that Air India has made in starting work for the MRO. This is not only a milestone for Indian aviation, which is growing at a rapid pace, but also for the state of Karnataka, which is taking a lead in the aviation sector with Bengaluru set to emerge as an important global aviation hub in the coming years.”
Ms Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO, emphasized the facility’s timely contribution to India’s aviation growth and Air India’s fleet maintenance capabilities.
India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in this. The Bengaluru MRO facility is coming up at an opportune time to help strengthen India’s aviation ecosystem, while enhancing our in-house capabilities to maintain our fleet. This is a step ahead in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline.”
Mr Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India
Hari Marar of BIAL welcomed the facility, noting its importance in developing Bengaluru’s airport into a major aviation hub and fostering local economic growth.
We are pleased to welcome the establishment of Air India’s MRO facility at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. As we work towards developing the Airport into a major aviation hub, this marks an important step towards strengthening the fleet maintenance capabilities and infrastructure offering. This development will not only enhance regional connectivity and drive economic growth but also create valuable opportunities for local talent and businesses, reinforcing Bengaluru’s position as an important player in the aviation ecosystem.”
Mr. Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)
(Left to right): Sisira Kanta Dash Chief Technical Officer, Air India, Mr. Chin Yau Seng, CEO, SIA Engineering Company, Ms. Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Mr. Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India, Mr. Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Regulatory, Compliance (GRC) and Corporate Affairs | Photo: Air IndiaPlans for New Hangar in Delhi
Air India’s new MRO facility in Bengaluru is expected to generate over 1,200 skilled aviation engineering jobs and support over 200 local SMEs through its supply chain. These new ventures will further strengthen Karnataka’s MRO ecosystem.
The MRO will feature a large hangar accommodating both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft for base maintenance. Its capacity will expand with additional hangars, including a paint hangar, equipped with advanced maintenance technology.
This world-class MRO facility will enhance Air India’s self-reliance in fleet maintenance from 2025, complementing its line maintenance upgrades across the network and the refurbished wide-body hangar in Mumbai.
Air India will build a new wide-body hangar in Delhi (DEL) to cater to line maintenance requirements, completing its comprehensive maintenance ecosystem at major airports.
Photo: Vatika oneBasic Maintenance Training Organisation
The airline is also obtaining approval for CAR-147 training to ensure a pipeline of type-rated maintenance personnel.
Air India plans to open a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru by 2025 to ensure a continuous supply of trained personnel for aircraft maintenance and engineering. This will provide engineering students with opportunities to obtain type-rated certifications.
Additionally, Air India has strengthened its operational capabilities through strategic agreements, including a 12-year Inventory Technical Management (ITM) deal with SIAEC, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SQ) to support its Airbus A320 fleet, improving component reliability and support.
The airline has also secured multi-year Total Component Support (TCS) agreements with Lufthansa Technik for its Boeing 777 fleet and a long-term Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) aftermarket support deal with Honeywell for both existing and new fleets.
These partnerships will enhance Air India’s maintenance and operational efficiency, ensuring the high reliability and availability of its aircraft.
What are your thoughts on Air India’s MRO plans? What will happen to Govt-owned AIESL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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