The Air India Group announced the construction of a mega maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Kempegowda International Airport, for which it has earmarked Rs 1,400 crore.

With this, the Tata Group-owned airline eyes developing Bengaluru as a major hub, apart from Delhi and Mumbai, while also aiming to build a strong self-reliant aviation ecosystem for the country.

Earlier this year, Air India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government to establish the MRO facility in Bengaluru. The upcoming facility, spread across 35 acres, is slated to become an important hub for Air India Group’s aircraft maintenance operations in the region, as it modernises its fleet and expands global reach.

“Air India is in the process of transformation, as part of which we have acquired over 500 aircraft, while also bringing in more capabilities in-house to improve our reliability and maintain cabin presentability,” said Air India chief executive officer and MD Campbell Wilson.

The new facility is expected to be completed by 2025-end, and begin operations the following year, and is expected to generate over 1,200 new jobs, and support over 200 SMEs in the state through an enhanced supply chain.