Airbus and Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced their partnership aimed at supporting HAL's entry into servicing commercial aircraft, specifically focusing on the A320 family. The alliance is part of a broader initiative to enhance the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry in India.
The partnership involves Airbus providing HAL with an A320 family tool package along with specialized consulting services. These resources will aid in the establishment of a robust indigenous MRO infrastructure within India. In addition, HAL will gain access to AirbusWorld for technical support and training.
The collaboration aligns with the civil-military convergence and the Make in India mission, under which HAL's Nashik division plans to set up an integrated MRO hub. The division boasts DGCA-approved three hangars and skilled manpower from defense activities.
Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, stated that this initiative would streamline airlines' operations and contribute to India's ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.
In a similar vein, Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex) at HAL, highlighted that this initiative aligns with the Indian government's civil-military convergence strategy. The facility is designed to cater to the surging demand for MRO services and contribute to the expansion of the A320 family of aircraft in India's commercial fleet.
The collaboration aims to tap into the economic offshoots of nearly 1,000 A320 orders from Air India and IndiGo. Airbus, under Maillard's leadership in India and South Asia, is committed to nurturing an indigenous MRO industry as part of Airbus' holistic commitment to India's aviation ecosystem.
The facility is set to be operational by November, subject to DGCA approval. This move also promotes civil-military convergence and is expected to cater to India's expanding commercial fleet with its civil MRO capabilities.
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