Air India Breaks Ground for Bengaluru MRO Facility

DALLAS — According to Air India’s (AI) CEO, Campbell Wilson, the company's Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru is set to significantly enhance India's aviation infrastructure and boost the airline's internal capabilities. 

At the groundbreaking ceremony at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Wilson emphasized that the facility aligns with AI's broader goal of building a self-sufficient aviation ecosystem. This development will enhance the airline’s ability to maintain its fleet in-house, contributing to its mission of becoming a world-class airline.

The MRO facility is expected to be operational by early 2026. It will bolster base and line maintenance operations across AI’s network, allowing the airline to reduce reliance on external maintenance services. Wilson also highlighted the facility’s role in creating local employment opportunities, particularly for skilled aviation engineers and fostering a steady supply of trained personnel for aircraft maintenance.

Air India is also developing other maintenance hubs in line with its expansion plans, including a newly refurbished wide-body aircraft hangar in Mumbai and a proposed hangar in Delhi. This network expansion will enable Air India to manage its fleet maintenance independently by 2025. 

Earlier this year, AI signed an MoU with the Karnataka government to establish the Bengaluru facility. The airline also partnered with Singapore Airlines' SIA Engineering Company to develop the MRO site. 

Once completed, the MRO will generate over 1,200 direct jobs for aviation engineers and create numerous indirect employment opportunities. The facility includes advanced features such as a mega hangar for wide-body and narrow-body aircraft.

The new MRO facility also boasts cutting-edge technology, including overhead platforms, cranes, and vertical lift hangar doors, positioning the facility as one of the most advanced in the world, supporting over 200 SMEs in Karnataka through an enhanced supply chain.