Minister Nara Lokesh invites Airbus to set up MRO hub in Andhra Pradesh
Mr. Lokesh proposed that Andhra Pradesh, with its strategic location and growing aviation ecosystem, is ideally positioned to become South Asia's premier Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) destination. India not only has a high density of aircraft but also serves as a hub for regional aviation demand from countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and others in Southeast Asia, creating a strong captive market for MRO services, he said.
''India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. With over 850 Airbus aircraft currently in operation and an estimated demand for 1,750 more over the next 20 years, there is an urgent need for a dedicated MRO hub,' he emphasised, highlighting Airbus's dominant market share of 65-70% in India's commercial aviation sector, largely driven by its A320 narrow-body fleet.
The Minister further assured that Andhra Pradesh is prepared to offer policy support and infrastructure to match global standards. 'Our proposed MRO hub will not only reduce ferry times and operational costs for Indian carriers but will also enhance fleet readiness,' he said. 'It opens up opportunities for servicing aircraft from across the region, turning Andhra Pradesh into a regional aviation service leader.'
The State government, Mr. Lokesh said, is ready to partner with global players like Airbus to build a full-fledged, future-ready MRO ecosystem. The hub would follow best practices similar to Singapore's high operational and safety standards, he added.
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