State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday (November 9) said it has signed a contract with Airbus in New Delhi to establish a one-stop maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for the A-320 family of aircraft.
HAL intends to establish an integrated MRO service in India and seeks to provide commercial airlines with a one-stop solution, the Bengaluru-based company said in a regulatory filing.
Under this collaboration, Airbus will supply HAL with the essential A320 family tool package and offer specialised consulting services to facilitate the establishment of the MRO facility for A-320 family aircraft.
The strategic alignment between these two industry giants is poised to address the escalating demand for MRO services in India, particularly for the A320 family of aircraft.
Once operational, this facility will be a one-of-a-kind venture in India, set to deliver substantial benefits, including reduced lead times, enhanced turnaround times, and cost-effective MRO services. These improvements will ultimately bolster the availability of the A-320 fleet for seamless flight operations.
The MRO facility dedicated to the A-320 aircraft family is projected to be fully operational and ready for aircraft induction by November 2024, subject to the necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Looking ahead, the facility in Nashik, Maharashtra, will also extend its services to the broader Asian region after obtaining the coveted European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval in collaboration with Airbus.
Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex) HAL, said, "HAL wants to establish an integrated MRO hub in the country and provide airlines with an effective MRO solution. This step by HAL is also aligned to civil-military convergence and the Make in India mission of the government of India."
Remi Maillard, President, and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, emphasised that Airbus is committed to growing the aviation ecosystem in India and the development of a strong MRO infrastructure is a key element of this ecosystem.
Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ended at ₹2,029.40, down by ₹14.20, or 0.69%, on the BSE.
