Air India Group today announced the commencement of construction of a mega Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at a groundbreaking ceremony in Bengaluru, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a self-reliant aviation ecosystem in India.
The new MRO facility, located on a 35-acre land parcel at Bangalore International Airport, will serve as a key hub for Air India’s aircraft maintenance operations, supporting the airline’s modernization efforts and its expanding global reach. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka; Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL); and Chin Yau Seng, CEO of SIA Engineering Company, alongside senior Air India leadership.
Earlier this year, Air India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish MRO facilities in Bengaluru. Additionally, the airline has partnered with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) as its strategic partner for developing this MRO facility.
Gunjan Krishna stated that the swift progress in establishing the MRO facility marks a significant milestone for the aviation sector in India and highlights Karnataka’s emerging role as a global aviation hub. Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the facility’s importance in enhancing India’s aviation ecosystem while building the airline’s in-house maintenance capabilities. He described it as a critical step in the airline’s mission to become a world-class global carrier.
The MRO facility is expected to generate over 1,200 new jobs for skilled aviation engineers and support over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Karnataka, thereby boosting the local supply chain and creating further employment opportunities. The facility will also support Air India’s plans to establish Bengaluru as a key hub, improving direct connectivity to global destinations.
Designed to accommodate both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, the facility will include a mega hangar for base maintenance, additional hangars for aircraft servicing, and a dedicated paint hangar. The MRO will be equipped with advanced maintenance technology, such as overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in the country, setting new standards for aviation maintenance in India.
Air India’s new MRO facility in Bengaluru, along with the expansion of in-house line maintenance capabilities across its network and the recently refurbished wide-body aircraft hangar in Mumbai, will increase the airline’s self-reliance in fleet maintenance by 2025. The airline also plans to build a new wide-body hangar in Delhi to meet line maintenance requirements, creating a comprehensive maintenance ecosystem at major airports.
To ensure a steady inflow of trained personnel for aircraft maintenance and engineering, Air India plans to open a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in Bengaluru by 2025. This initiative will provide engineering students with specialized training to become type-rated engineers.
Air India has strengthened its operational capabilities through strategic agreements, including a 12-year Inventory Technical Management (ITM) agreement with SIAEC to support its Airbus A320 family fleet, a multi-year agreement with Lufthansa Technik for Total Component Support (TCS) for its Boeing 777 fleet, and a long-term agreement with Honeywell for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) aftermarket support. These partnerships aim to enhance the airline’s maintenance and operational efficiency, ensuring high reliability and availability of its aircraft.
Founded by JRD Tata, Air India has been a pioneer in Indian aviation since its first flight in 1932. It connects India with 29 countries across five continents, covering major destinations in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia, and the Middle East.
After returning to the Tata Group in 2022, Air India embarked on the Vihaan.AI transformation journey to become a global airline with an Indian heart. The airline has completed the ‘Taxi’ and ‘Take-off’ phases, focused on foundational growth, and is currently in the ‘Climb’ phase, aimed at achieving excellence in operations and customer experience. As a member of Star Alliance, Air India offers seamless global connectivity while its subsidiary, Air India Express, serves as a low-cost carrier within India and to nearby countries.
This expansion demonstrates Air India’s commitment to enhancing India’s aviation self-reliance and supports its vision of becoming a world-class global airline.
