Tata-owned Air India has entered into a partnership with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), to develop a facility dedicated to Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME). This expansive 86,000-square-foot campus, situated at Bengaluru Airport City, is anticipated to commence operations by mid-2026.
“The Basic Maintenance Training Organisation will create a steady stream of qualified engineers who are trained to meet Air India’s standards from the beginning,” stated Sunil Bhaskaran, Director of the Aviation Academy at Air India.
This agreement aligns with Air India’s initiative to establish a basic maintenance training organisation (BMTO) that will provide a comprehensive aircraft maintenance engineering (AME) program accredited by the Indian aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The program is tailored to address the increasing maintenance needs of Air India’s expanding fleet.
Transition journey
The Air India BMTO represents a significant step towards cultivating a strong, future-ready aviation ecosystem in India. It will support the airline’s aspirations as it progresses in its transformation journey, enhancing the supply of aircraft maintenance engineers as Air India grows its fleet, thereby fostering self-sufficiency, as noted in the company’s announcement.
Rao Munukutla, Executive Director & CEO of BACL, remarked, “The Air India BMTO strengthens our vision of cultivating a vibrant ecosystem that promotes innovation and collaboration.”
Recently, under its Vihaan AI initiative, Air India has committed to acquiring over 500 new aircraft, with deliveries already underway. Other notable initiatives include a $400 million interior refurbishment program for its older fleet and the integration of line maintenance operations across its group airlines to bolster self-reliance. In September 2024, the Air India Group also initiated the construction of a large Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru.
Operational by 2026
The institute is set to be operational by mid-2026. The BMTO will be located in proximity to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru. The program, accredited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), at the BMTO will encompass two years of academic instruction followed by two years of practical on-the-job training at the MRO. Until the new BMTO facility becomes operational, Air India will implement a Cadet AME program in collaboration with other esteemed institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Air India has initiated the construction of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, with plans for it to commence operations by 2026. According to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India, this MRO facility is anticipated to generate approximately 1,200 jobs for skilled aviation engineers and support over 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Karnataka. The first phase of the facility is projected to reach completion by the end of 2025, with full operational capabilities beginning in 2026.
The facility spans a 35-acre site at Bangalore International Airport and is estimated to have a budget of around Rs 1,400 crore. It will include 12 hangar bays specifically designed for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. Plans are in place to increase the facility’s capacity by adding more hangars to service additional aircraft, including a dedicated paint hangar.
“The Bengaluru MRO facility is being developed at a crucial moment to bolster India’s aviation ecosystem while enhancing our in-house capabilities for fleet maintenance,” remarked Wilson. Initially, the facility will focus on simpler maintenance activities. As we accumulate experience and broaden our skill set, it will gradually take on more intricate maintenance tasks, he highlighted.
The MRO aims to establish benchmarks in the aviation sector, as stated by the company. It will be outfitted with cutting-edge aircraft maintenance technology, featuring overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in the nation. Additionally, the MRO will aid Air India’s strategy to position Bengaluru as one of its primary hubs, enhancing direct connectivity to international destinations, as reported.
Earlier this year, Air India entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government to set up MRO facilities in Bengaluru. Furthermore, the airline has partnered with SIA Engineering Co. to serve as its strategic ally in the development of this MRO facility.
Wilson also shared an update regarding the Air India-Vistara merger, stating, “The company is presently in the concluding phases of consolidating the organizational framework, integrating support systems, transferring aircraft assets, aligning processes, and merging passenger reservations for both Air India and Vistara.”
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