Govt readies plan to promote MRO facilities

New Delhi: The government is preparing a road map to woo more aviation majors like Embraer and Boeing to set up maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft in the country. Official sources told FE that the civil aviation ministry was looking at actively pursuing foreign investment in MROs.
The sector can expect certain policy initiatives to augment the industry’s proposals in the current Plan, they said, adding that mega deals and joint ventures with global aviation majors can be expected soon.
In recent months, three different JVs between Indian companies & foreign companies like Airbus, Boeing and SIA Engineering have embarked upon for setting up of MROs. Global Vectra, the second largest helicopter operator in the country, is also planning to set up a MRO facility at Mumbai. The Indian MRO market is growing at about 8% annually and the Asia-Pacific aircraft and engine MRO market is estimated to touch $12.90 billion by 2011.
According to the Planning Commission outsourcing of line-maintenance by domestic and international airlines to MROs should be allowed. Green field projects and modernisation projects of existing airports should ensure hangars and space for MROs. Location being an important factor, an aircraft MRO should be located at an airport and it must have hangars large enough to accommodate the type of aircraft meant to be repaired or overhauled.
09/06/07 Oineetom Ojah/Financial Express

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Categories: Airports Jun 2007, General Aviation Jun 2007, New Jun 2007