Air India bullish on Bengaluru's aviation growth: Campbell Wilson

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India was in Bengaluru for the groundbreaking ceremony of Air India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

India's leading global airline Air India on September 4 said it is committed to making Bengaluru a key aviation hub in South India.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said: "The speed at which we build this aviation hub largely depends on how quickly we can get the aircraft. There’s a lot of competition for aircraft, as other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad also seek expansion. However, we’ve committed to making Bengaluru one of our key focus cities, in addition to Mumbai and Delhi,” he said.

Wilson was in Bengaluru for the groundbreaking ceremony of Air India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. In April 2024, Air India signed an agreement with Karnataka government and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), to develop Bengaluru as a premier aviation hub in South India.

Also, read: Air India to build mega aircraft maintenance hub in Bengaluru, to generate 1,200 jobs

“Our commitment is clear— we’ve signed this agreement with BIAL and the state government. We are focused and confident about Bengaluru. The fact that we want to make this a hub indicates we're very bullish about the market. The presence of multiple airlines here is beneficial for our business as it increases the opportunity to connect passengers with flights operated by other airlines,” Wilson said.

Kempegowda International Airport is now connected to 100 non-stop destinations across the globe. "We are now operating more flights from Bengaluru. Recent additions include direct flights to San Francisco and London Gatwick. We've also launched our first Air India lounge in the world here in Bengaluru,” he said.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport is now connected to 100 non-stop passenger destinations

“Aviation acts as a catalyst. It brings businesspeople through the gates, which boosts tourism, hotels, and local businesses due to the connectivity aviation provides. Our MRO facility in Bengaluru will require inputs from adjacent components and repair capabilities. The aerospace park being built around the airport already hosts a number of OEMs and other facilities. Our presence here will naturally benefit them and allow them to grow and expand,” Wilson said.

Earlier this year, Air India signed a MoU with the Karnataka government to establish MRO facilities in Bengaluru. The airline has also partnered with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) as its strategic partner for the development of this MRO facility. “The upcoming MRO facility, being built on a 35-acre land parcel at Bangalore International Airport, will become an important hub for Air India group airlines’ aircraft maintenance operations in the region, as the airline modernises its fleet and expands its global operations,” said an Air India spokesperson.

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner, Department of Industries & Commerce, Karnataka government said: “The starting work on the MRO is a significant milestone for Indian aviation, which is growing rapidly, and for Karnataka, which is taking the lead in the aviation sector with Bengaluru set to emerge as an important global aviation hub in the coming years.”

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Wilson said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory, and Air India is playing a leading role in this. 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 forward in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline.”

Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said, “As we work towards developing the airport into a major aviation hub, the establishment of Air India’s MRO facility marks an important step towards strengthening fleet maintenance capabilities and infrastructure. 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 a key player in the aviation ecosystem.”

Once completed, the MRO is expected to generate over 1,200 new job opportunities for skilled aviation engineers in India and support over 200 SMEs in Karnataka through an enhanced supply chain. These ventures are projected to create further employment opportunities, strengthening the MRO ecosystem in the state. MRO will also support Air India’s plans to make Bengaluru one of its key hubs, boosting direct connectivity to global destinations.

Also, read: Boeing India to open its largest facility outside the US in Bengaluru

“The upcoming MRO will feature a mega hangar to accommodate wide-body and narrow-body aircraft under a single roof for base maintenance. The facility’s capacity will be further expanded to include additional hangars for servicing more aircraft, including a paint hangar. Equipped with the latest aircraft maintenance technology, including overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in the country, this MRO facility will set a new standard in aviation maintenance, on par with any MRO in the world”, a statement from Air India said.

Bengaluru MRO facility, the expansion of in-house Line Maintenance (routine maintenance of aircraft in operation) facilities across the network, and the recently refurbished wide-body aircraft hangar in Mumbai, is expected to make Air India more self-reliant in the maintenance of its entire fleet from 2025.

Also, read: Air India plans to retrofit 100 aircrafts, CEO says aspiring to be a hub carrier