Tata-owned Air India has commenced construction of a major maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Bengaluru’s International Airport, positioning the city as a key hub for its global operations. The MRO facility, covering 35 acres, is designed to support the modernization of Air India’s fleet and enhance direct connectivity to international destinations. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, marking a significant step in the airline’s expansion plans.
Earlier this year, Air India signed an MoU with the Karnataka government to establish the MRO in Bengaluru. It also partnered with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) from the Singapore Airlines group for the development of this facility. The upcoming MRO will include a massive hangar capable of housing both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft under one roof for base maintenance. Plans are underway to expand the facility further with additional hangars, including one for aircraft painting.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature the latest aircraft maintenance technology, including overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and India’s largest vertical lift hangar doors. These innovations will set a new benchmark in aviation maintenance, comparable to global MRO standards.
By 2025, this facility, alongside an expanded network of in-house Line Maintenance facilities and the recently upgraded wide-body aircraft hangar in Mumbai, will make Air India more self-sufficient in fleet maintenance. With Bengaluru already a major focus city for Air India Express, the group’s budget airline, the MRO is expected to play a crucial role in Air India’s growing long-haul operations.
As part of the Tata Group’s broader strategy to consolidate its airline business, Air India and Vistara, along with budget carriers Air India Express and AIX Connect, are set to merge. This will create synergies within the airline’s network and strengthen its position in the international market.
Air India’s expansion efforts include a massive order for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, alongside the ongoing refurbishment of its existing fleet. The Bengaluru MRO facility aligns with the airline’s goal of becoming a world-class carrier, further supporting India’s aviation growth.
