Air India has started building a large-scale maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, reinforcing its commitment to developing India’s aviation sector.
The 35-acre facility at Bangalore International Airport will serve as a key maintenance hub for Air India’s growing fleet.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the project comes at an opportune time for India’s expanding aviation industry.
“This is a step ahead in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline,” Wilson said.
The MRO facility is expected to create over 1,200 jobs for skilled engineers and support more than 200 small and medium enterprises in Karnataka.
Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development in Karnataka, welcomed Air India’s swift progress on the project.
“This is not only a milestone for Indian aviation, which is growing at a rapid pace, but also for the state of Karnataka,” Krishna said.
The facility will feature a large hangar able to accommodate both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft for base maintenance. Future expansion plans include additional hangars and a paint hangar.
Air India aims to become more self-reliant in fleet maintenance from 2025 through this facility and other initiatives across its network.
The airline also plans to open a training centre in Bengaluru in 2025 to ensure a steady supply of qualified maintenance personnel.
Air India has recently signed several strategic agreements to enhance its maintenance capabilities, including partnerships with SIA Engineering Company, Lufthansa Technik and Honeywell.
The MRO project aligns with Air India’s broader transformation plan as it seeks to become a leading global carrier following its return to Tata Group ownership in 2022.
