SINGAPORE—Air India is working with SIA Engineering Co. (SIAEC) to develop the talent and capability needed to support India’s growing aircraft MRO industry, in parallel with a planned collaboration between the two companies.
Air India Group signed a memorandum of understanding with SIAEC in July 2026 to explore a broad MRO partnership potentially covering airframe and engine maintenance. The agreement comes as the group prepares to receive more than 500 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.
Speaking at MRO Asia-Pacific, Sisira Kanta Dash, Air India Group chief strategy officer for engineering, said the collaboration will draw on SIAEC’s established MRO capabilities, particularly its widebody expertise, to accelerate the development of in-country capabilities in India.
Only about 20% of India’s MRO demand is currently met domestically.
Air India is also expanding its own MRO infrastructure. Construction of a new hangar at Bengaluru began in 2024, with completion planned for 2027. The 235 m (771 ft.)-long column-free hangar will accommodate three widebody and two narrowbody aircraft, with heavy-maintenance capabilities and supporting workshops for composites, cabin interiors and sheet-metal work.
A second phase is expected to add additional narrowbody bays and an aircraft paint hangar.
There are also visions for third-party services, although Air India remains the priority.
Aviation Week’s preliminary Fleet & MRO Forecast projects at least 2,100 aircraft deliveries to Indian operators between 2027 and 2036, with deliveries averaging 278 aircraft annually from 2032 through 2036.
Despite the growth outlook, Dash identified the availability and retention of skilled maintenance personnel as a key challenge. Aircraft maintenance engineers from India continue to move to other markets, including the Middle East, creating a potential talent gap as the country expands its MRO capacity.
The Indian and Singapore governments have begun bilateral discussions on establishing a structured platform for cooperation on MRO skills development and industry capability building in India.
Dash also welcomed aircraft manufacturers establishing final assembly lines in India, saying the development would benefit small and medium-sized companies while providing additional pathways for aspiring aerospace professionals to enter the industry in India.
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