Indian airlines push for self-reliant MRO capabilities amid fleet expansion

Indian airlines are stepping up efforts to strengthen domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities as they expand their aircraft fleets in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.

Air India's Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance, Jeremy Yew, highlighted the airline's strategy to maximize in-house MRO operations at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 conference. He underscored the need for significant expansion in MRO facilities for wide-body aircraft, which currently undergo most major maintenance work overseas.

Geopolitical disruptions have underscored the vulnerability of this approach. Air India faced challenges securing maintenance capacity when regional instability disrupted its planned servicing arrangements in West Asia, forcing the airline to seek alternative solutions.

With the MRO market for airframes, engines, and components expected to triple to USD 9.5 billion by 2035, industry analysts say building self-reliant domestic capabilities is essential. The expansion of India's fleet—driven by rising air travel demand—has made local MRO infrastructure a strategic priority for carriers seeking operational resilience and cost efficiency.

Industry experts suggest that developing comprehensive wide-body MRO facilities domestically would not only reduce dependency on international providers but also create employment opportunities and strengthen India's aviation ecosystem.