Air India Group announced on September 4 that it has begun building a large Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility on 35 acres of land at Bengaluru International Airport. This move, according to the airline, "reaffirms its commitment to building a self-reliant aviation ecosystem in India". Once operational, the facility is projected to generate over 1,200 jobs for skilled aviation engineers. Additionally, the project is expected to support over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Karnataka, strengthening the local supply chain.
Air India stated that the new MRO facility will become a crucial hub for maintaining the group’s expanding fleet. As the airline modernises and extends its global reach, Air India explained that this facility would significantly enhance its aircraft maintenance operations in the region.
Earlier this year, Air India said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to set up these facilities in Bengaluru. The airline also confirmed an agreement with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) as its strategic partner for the MRO's development.
The facility will serve as a major maintenance hub for Air India's fleet, featuring mega hangars that can accommodate both wide and narrow-body aircraft, including a paint hangar, Air India stated.
Air India added that the facility will be equipped with cutting-edge aircraft maintenance technology, including overhead tele platforms, cranes, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in India. It emphasised that its goal is to create a maintenance hub that is on par with the best MRO facilities worldwide.
By 2025, Air India aims to become more self-reliant in fleet maintenance, with expanded in-house line maintenance facilities across the network and a newly refurbished wide-body aircraft hangar in Mumbai.
The airlines group said its plans also include constructing a new wide-body hangar in Delhi to support Line Maintenance needs at major airports.
It further stated that a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) will be opened in Bengaluru by 2025 to provide ongoing training for aircraft maintenance personnel, ensuring a steady flow of skilled engineers for its fleet.
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