Indian MROs look for foreign partners as plane orders rise

They want to develop capabilities to offer comprehensive maintenance solutions to airlines

- Anu Sharma

Indian companies are actively seeking partnerships with foreign players to establish a hub for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for airlines. Their goal is to rival Singapore’s capabilities, and create an ecosystem that will offer comprehensive maintenance solutions to airlines from engines to the smallest parts.

Top executives of India’s leading MRO, Air Works, and the up-and-coming GMR Aero Technic said they were open to partnerships and see them as a key avenue to build trust with Indian and foreign airlines for their MRO requirements.

“Regarding aircraft components, everyone understands that it is lacking in Indian MRO set-up, but can Indian MROs do it on their own? Perhaps not. Here we need support, to start with, from airlines where they can push their service providers into forming a joint venture with us," Anand Bhaskar, managing director and chief executive officer, Air Works India, said at Aero MRO India 2023 event in New Delhi.