Air India Begins Construction of New MRO Facility in Bengaluru

Air India Group has officially commenced the construction of a new state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). The groundbreaking ceremony, held on September 4, 2024, was attended by top airline executives and local dignitaries, marking a significant step in the airline’s plan to enhance its in-house maintenance capabilities.

The new MRO facility is being developed on a 35-acre site and will serve as a key hub for maintaining Air India Group’s growing fleet, including aircraft from Vistara, following its merger with Air India later in 2024. As Air India expands and modernizes its operations, this facility will help the airline become more self-reliant in handling aircraft maintenance.

Earlier this year, Air India partnered with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) to develop the Bengaluru MRO. Once completed, the facility is expected to create over 1,200 new jobs for skilled aviation engineers and support more than 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Karnataka by enhancing supply chain opportunities.

The centerpiece of the new MRO facility will be a “mega hangar” capable of accommodating both widebody and narrowbody aircraft for base maintenance under one roof. Plans include additional hangars to service more aircraft, as well as a dedicated paint hangar. According to the airline’s statement, the MRO will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, including overhead tele-platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in India, positioning it as one of the most advanced MRO centers in the world.

In addition to the Bengaluru facility, Air India has recently re-opened a refurbished widebody hangar in Mumbai and is planning to build a new widebody hangar in Delhi. These developments aim to create a complete maintenance ecosystem across major airports in India, ensuring streamlined maintenance services for the airline’s fleet.

Air India’s investment in Bengaluru extends beyond physical infrastructure. The airline is also focusing on training and certifying engineers to handle its diverse fleet. A Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) is set to open in Bengaluru in 2025, providing training for future engineers and ensuring a steady flow of skilled personnel for the new MRO center.

The airline also plans to secure CAR-147 accreditation for its training academy, which will expedite the certification process for new engineers, allowing them to quickly join the maintenance teams at the facility upon its completion.

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development for Karnataka, praised the project, stating, “This MRO facility is a milestone for Indian aviation and will further strengthen Bengaluru’s role as a global aviation hub.”

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of the new MRO facility. “This comes at a pivotal time as India’s aviation sector continues to grow rapidly. The Bengaluru MRO will play a crucial role in enhancing our in-house maintenance capabilities, bringing us closer to our goal of making Air India a world-class airline.”

The new MRO facility is poised to be a critical asset in India’s aviation landscape, supporting both Air India’s expansion and the country’s growing role in the global aviation industry.