Air India has officially launched construction of a pioneering base maintenance facility at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Spanning 35 acres, this facility marks a significant collaboration between Air India, the Government of Karnataka, and Bengaluru International Airport.
The new MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility, championed by Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of the Department of Industries & Commerce for Karnataka, is set to position Bengaluru as a major aviation hub in India. The facility will feature 12 hangars with the capacity to accommodate three widebody-aircraft for base maintenance simultaneously. Phase I of the development involves an investment of INR 1400 crore, with plans for further expansion in the future.
The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by notable figures including Gunjan Krishna, Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Chin Yau Seng, CEO of SIA Engineering Company, and senior leadership from Air India. The facility will be developed in partnership with SIA Engineering Services (SIAEC).
“The 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,” comments Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive at Air India stated
“The ground breaking of this MRO is an important step towards strengthening the fleet maintenance capabilities and infrastructure offering,” stated Hari Marar, Chief Executive, BIAL. “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 an important player in the aviation ecosystem.”
Upon completion, the facility is expected to create around 1,200 skilled jobs in the Bengaluru region. Additionally, Air India plans to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in Bengaluru by 2025 to address the growing demand for skilled aircraft maintenance engineers in India.
(I crore = US$120,382 at time of publication).
