In a strategic move aimed at strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure, IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
The partnership marks a significant milestone not just for IndiGo, but for India’s ambitions to become a global aviation hub. The planned MRO facility will cater to IndiGo’s growing fleet, which currently exceeds 350 aircraft and is projected to cross 500 in the coming years.
The MoU was signed earlier this week at BIAL’s corporate office in the presence of senior executives from both organizations.
“This collaboration is a leap forward in our efforts to create a robust, self-sufficient aviation ecosystem in India,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo. “With Bengaluru’s strategic location and BIAL’s world-class infrastructure, this MRO facility will enable us to optimize fleet maintenance and support long-term operational efficiency.”
State-of-the-Art Facility to Serve Growing Demand
The MRO hub is expected to house multiple hangars capable of supporting both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The facility will also include advanced workshops, support infrastructure, and skilled personnel—creating significant employment opportunities in Karnataka’s aviation and engineering sectors.
Hari Marar, MD & CEO of BIAL, welcomed the partnership as a major boost for the airport’s long-term strategy to develop aeronautical services as a core growth vertical.
“We are proud to partner with IndiGo in shaping the next chapter of Indian aviation,” Marar said. “This MRO facility aligns with our vision to transform Kempegowda International Airport into a major aviation hub not just for passenger traffic, but for operational excellence and service innovation.”
A Win for ‘Make in India’ and Operational Resilience
The IndiGo-BIAL MRO initiative is being viewed as a strong push for the ‘Make in India’ campaign, offering homegrown capabilities in a sector that has traditionally relied heavily on overseas maintenance. Analysts say the move will reduce downtime for aircraft, lower maintenance costs, and improve turnaround times—particularly vital for a low-cost carrier like IndiGo.
Moreover, with global MRO capacity tightening post-COVID and aviation demand rebounding, having domestic facilities becomes a strategic asset.
Industry Reactions
Aviation industry observers have lauded the announcement, noting that India has long needed large-scale MRO capabilities to match its growing fleet and ambitious airline expansions.
“This is a timely and much-needed development,” said an aviation analyst from CAPA India. “With IndiGo setting the pace, we expect other carriers to explore similar partnerships to localize their technical operations.”
Construction of the facility is expected to begin later this year, with operations likely to commence by late 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
