The event was attended by Gunjan Krishna, Industrial Development Commissioner and Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Chin Yau Seng, CEO, SIA Engineering Company, as well as Air India’s senior leadership team, including Wilson.
Earlier this year, Air India signed an MoU with the Karnataka government to set up the MRO facility in Bengaluru.
“Studies have shown that every job created at the airport had a simulated effect on the economy, resulting in the creation of seven more jobs. This is in line with what we see in other parts of the world,” said Wilson, who was speaking at a press conference where he outlined Air India’s plans to build a self-sustaining aviation ecosystem for India.
According to Wilson, Air India has earmarked Rs 1,400 crore for the MRO project, which is expected to become a major hub for Air India’s aircraft maintenance operations in the region as the airline modernises its fleet and expands its global operations.
The upcoming MRO facility will feature a mega hangar to accommodate wide and narrow-body aircraft under a single roof for base maintenance, Wilson said. The facility, which will be equipped with the latest aircraft maintenance technology including aerial teleportation platforms, cranes, universal docking systems and the country’s largest vertical lift hangar doors, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and operational by 2026, he said. According to him, Air India has also signed an agreement with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) to be its strategic partner for the development of this MRO facility.
Wilson also said that Air India will open a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in 2025, in Bengaluru, to ensure a continuous flow of trained personnel for aircraft engineering and maintenance activities.
“This will create opportunities for engineering students to be trained to become qualified engineers for certification. Initially, we are looking at training about 50 engineers,” Wilson said.
Stating that India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory, he said the Bengaluru MRO facility comes at an opportune time to help strengthen India’s aviation ecosystem.
“We will also enhance our in-house capabilities to maintain our fleet. This is a step forward in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline,” he added.
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