Amsterdam: National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL) and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services, to-day signed a Joint Venture Agreement for creation of an Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre. This new MRO centre after it receives the approval of Government will start its operations with effect from early 2009 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. It would become a Member of Airbus MRO Network.
As per the Agreement, the Joint Venture will undertake airframe maintenance and repair of Airbus aircraft of NACIL to begin with. Later, it will extend the facility to other types of aircraft (e.g. ATR) and aircraft of other airlines as also to aircraft other than the Airbus family and to component maintenance business. NACIL is a major operator of Airbus aircraft and is currently inducting 43 new A320 Family aircraft into its fleet. The induction programme started with effect from mid 2007 and would continue till early 2010. Currently, it operates 43 A320s, 11 A319s, 10 A321s, eight A310 and two A330s of Airbus family aircraft. EADS added: “This is a new milestone in the long history of cooperation between India and EADS. For the last three years, we have continued to expand our industrial relationship by launching several initiatives between different EADS’ divisions and the Indian Industry. EADS is keen to support the fast-developing aeronautical sector in India.”
The facility would also cater to the markets in South Asia Region and neighboring countries. By 2013, over one hundred single aisle aircraft and around ten wide body aircraft per year would be maintained and the centre would employ 250 to 300 Indian technical personnel. Other Indian as well as foreign operators / airlines would also benefit from its services soon. India today has an expanding fleet of Airbus family in its aviation industry and this MRO Center will contribute to the development of this market.
NACIL said, “This first-of-a-kind Joint Venture Airframe MRO in the country is of immense importance in today’s growing aviation market. With the setting-up of this facility at Delhi, NACIL will see an increased availability of aircraft following reduction in major maintenance check times through enhanced productivity. Besides, catering to our Airbus Family aircraft, the facility will also be able to attract other airlines’ jobs, thus not only leading to savings, but also generating earnings for the Company.”
EADS added, “We are excited about this public-private partnership which is a milestone, being the first of its kind in the MRO field in India. The growth in the aviation sector is creating the need for world-class providers of services and we think our partnership will deliver the same to NACIL.”
In addition to the DGCA approvals, the MRO will also obtain approvals from FAA / EASA which will help it undertake outside party work.
Both NACIL and EADS are initially 50-50 equity partners in the Joint Venture. A third Airbus network partner and local affiliate EADS company will be inducted soon. The total cost of the Project has been estimated at US $ 40 million spread over 5 years which includes new wide body aircraft hangars, equipment etc.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of Euro 39.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division. |