HAL and Airbus Pioneer Establishment of Civil MRO Facility for A320 Family in Nashik
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Airbus have inked a transformative contract for the creation of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities catering to the A320 family of aircraft. The signing ceremony, held in New Delhi today, marks a strategic collaboration between HAL and the largest European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, fortifying India’s Make-in-India initiative and fostering self-reliance in the aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul industry.
As part of this collaborative effort, Airbus will furnish the A320 family tool package and extend specialized consulting services to HAL for the establishment of the MRO facility. HAL’s objective is to construct an integrated MRO hub in India, offering commercial airlines a comprehensive and unified MRO solution.
Saket Chaturvedi, CEO (MiG Complex), HAL, stated, “HAL aims to establish an integrated MRO hub in the country, providing airlines with an effective MRO solution. This strategic move by HAL aligns with the civil-military convergence and the Make-in-India mission of the Government of India.”
Rémi Maillard, President & Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia, underscored Airbus’s commitment to nurturing the aviation ecosystem in India, identifying the development of a robust MRO infrastructure as a pivotal element in this ecosystem.
Once operational, this facility in Nashik will stand as a unique establishment in India. The HAL-Airbus partnership anticipates a substantial reduction in lead time, improved turnaround time, and diminished MRO costs, consequently bolstering the availability of the A320 family fleet for seamless flight operations. The MRO facility dedicated to the A320 aircraft family is slated to be operational and ready for aircraft induction by November 2024, subject to necessary DGCA approval. Moreover, in the future, post obtaining EASA approval, this Nashik facility will extend its services to the entire Asian region in collaboration with Airbus.