MRO Industry Might See a Boost in India by 2030

MRO stands for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, which ensures the availability and airworthiness of aircraft, and is of critical importance to the global aerospace & defence industry. The Indian aviation market is considered to have a promising future with around 1000 aircraft orders.

Many aviation companies are now showing their interest in investing in the MRO business in India. As India is considered an aviation hub by the 2030s, the need for aircraft maintenance and repair is an integral part of aviation safety.

The combined fleet of India and China is projected to reach 3000, almost three times the existing size. As a result of this growth in fleet size, the Chinese and Indian Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul market are likely to touch $5 bn and $2.5 bn respectively, growing at 9.5% and 10% per annum. This can be a great opportunity for the Indian Aviation industry.

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What is an MRO?

Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) in aviation is the repair, service, or inspection of an aircraft or aircraft component. It is essentially all of the maintenance activities that take place to ensure the safety and airworthiness of all aircraft by international standards.

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How India can be a hub for MROs?

At present, there are two major MROs in India GMR Aero technic and Air works. There is still a lack of fully furnished MROs. It has been estimated that the Indian MRO market generates $900 million with its growing fleet size this can be doubled. Major companies like Boeing, Airbus, etc. have to service their aircraft in UAE.

Not only India but also Southeastern countries have to service their aircraft in either UAE or Singapore. If the facilities of these companies are opened in India, it will be advantageous in many ways. The expenses of the maintenance will be reduced considerably. The fuel expenses will also be cut off by quite an amount. For India, these companies can play a major role in the employment of Aircraft maintenance technicians.

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Chances of making India a hub for the MRO industry

The Government of India 100 day plan includes developmental work at airports and policy to promote Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. Indian civil aviation minister Jotiraditya Scindia said “Discussions are also going on for convergence between civil and military works concerning MRO. To boost MRO activities, the government has selected eight airports, including Delhi and Kolkata, for such works and to attract investments,”

Recently, it has been the news that French Company Thales is to open its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul in New Delhi. The company has its branch in Bengaluru for software development and avionics system. This can be the beginning of the start of major MROs in India.

The Indian Aviation market is ever-expanding and its fleet size is gradually increasing; with new airlines like Akasa and TATA’s Air India, it is seeing a promising future for the aviation industry. The increase in fleet size will lead to the need for maintenance and repair of aircraft. The promise of making India the aviation hub by 2030 can be true if every other factor remains constant.

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Covid-19 caused huge havoc on the aviation market and caused unemployment as a result. The post-covid era has come up with many resolutions and hence it can be grasped by the aviation freshers for employment. The scope for aircraft maintenance technicians will increase with the opening of MROs in India.

If you are an AME student looking for careers in the aviation industry in the future, you might be working with major companies in India.

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