HAL and Airbus Join Forces for Civil Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Nashik

In a significant development, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and the prominent aerospace giant Airbus have officially inked a contract to establish a groundbreaking civil Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility dedicated to the A-320 family aircraft in Nashik. The facility is slated to become operational by November next year.

This collaborative endeavor with Airbus, the largest European aircraft manufacturer, marks a pivotal stride in bolstering India's "Make-in-India" initiative by achieving self-reliance in the aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, as stated by HAL.

As part of this partnership, Airbus will supply the essential A-320 family tool package and provide specialized consulting services to HAL to facilitate the establishment of the MRO facility for the A-320 family of aircraft. The collaboration between HAL and Airbus aims to meet the escalating demand for MRO services within the country, particularly for the A-320 family of aircraft. The aerospace defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) envisions establishing an integrated MRO service hub in India, offering commercial airlines a comprehensive MRO solution.

Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex) at HAL, emphasized, "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 with the civil-military convergence and the Make-in-India mission of the Government of India."

Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, underscored Airbus's commitment to fostering the aviation ecosystem in India, with the development of a robust MRO infrastructure playing a crucial role in this ecosystem.

The collaboration between HAL and Airbus is poised to bring about a substantial reduction in lead time, improved turnaround time, and a decrease in MRO costs, ultimately increasing the availability of the fleet for seamless flight operations. Looking ahead, after obtaining EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) approval in partnership with Airbus, this Nashik facility is expected to extend its services to the entire Asian region.

This collaborative effort represents a significant stride toward enhancing the Indian aviation landscape and aligns with the broader vision of self-reliance and innovation in the aerospace industry.

HBL