India’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector is set for significant growth, driven by an expanding aircraft fleet and increased private participation, according to Sharad Agarwal, CEO of Air India Engineering Services Limited.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Airport 360 Expo held in Mumbai, Agarwal highlighted the strong growth potential of the domestic MRO industry. “There is a huge potential for the MRO industry to grow in India with the number of new aircraft coming in. Additionally, with the coming of new private entities in the MRO sector, the industry is bound to grow. But, that needs to be supported with supporting factors like additional technicians and support infrastructure,” he said.
India has been witnessing a steady surge in aircraft orders from both full-service and low-cost carriers, creating downstream demand for maintenance capabilities within the country. However, industry stakeholders have repeatedly pointed to capacity constraints, particularly in skilled manpower and infrastructure, as key bottlenecks that must be addressed to fully capitalise on this growth.
In an exclusive interaction with this reporter, Agarwal elaborated on the evolving segments within the MRO ecosystem, noting that while routine services are already established, more complex domains are expected to expand rapidly. “Line maintenance and base maintenance are aspects which are already taking place, but engine maintenance is something that will definitely see a boom with the number of new incoming aircraft,” he said.
He further added that Air India Engineering Services Limited currently operates two EASA-certified engine maintenance shops in India, underscoring its existing capabilities in the high-value segment. Alongside this, a private sector player is also in the process of setting up an engine maintenance facility in the country, signalling increased investment interest in the space.
The growth of engine MRO capabilities is particularly significant, as it represents one of the most capital-intensive and technically demanding segments of the aviation maintenance value chain. Expanding such capabilities domestically could help Indian carriers reduce dependence on overseas facilities, thereby lowering costs and turnaround times.
As India continues its trajectory towards becoming one of the world’s largest aviation markets, industry leaders maintain that coordinated efforts across policy, infrastructure, and workforce development will be critical in ensuring that the MRO sector keeps pace with fleet expansion.
