Air India has officially started construction of its new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Bangalore International Airport.

This ambitious project, announced by Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, is expected to create approximately 1,200 jobs for skilled aviation engineers and provide support to over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Karnataka.

The facility is a part of Air India’s broader strategy to establish Bengaluru as one of its key operational hubs, enhancing global connectivity from the city. 

This facility will enable the airline to improve its maintenance efficiency while supporting its long-term goal of expanding its global network. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with full operations anticipated by 2026.

In addition to enhancing Air India’s maintenance capacity, the new MRO will support the airline’s strategic objective of boosting direct connectivity to global destinations from Bengaluru. By reducing the need to rely on external MRO services, Air India aims to cut down operational costs and streamline its fleet management.

 

Spread over a 35-acre plot, the MRO facility will feature 12 hangar bays capable of servicing both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

 

Earlier in 2024, Air India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government to establish the MRO facilities in Bengaluru. This collaboration is a key component of Air India’s broader expansion strategy, aimed at boosting its operational capacity while supporting the growth of Karnataka’s aviation sector.

This development is expected to boost Air India’s operational capacity while offering significant support to the local aviation ecosystem. With plans to increase direct connectivity from Bengaluru to global destinations, this project will play a critical role in Air India’s growth strategy, contributing to both the regional economy and India’s aviation industry.