Malaysia Airlines, GHIAL to set up MRO facility in Hyderabad

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) have entered into a memorandum of understanding for setting up an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.

According to GHIAL, the developer and operator of the new airport, the proposed MRO centre will be able to handle all types of aircraft from light jets to A 380. The centre is expected to start operations from the third quarter of next year.

A GHIAL spokesperson told Business Standard that the business plan of the joint venture was not ready and the details of the centre's area, capacity, equity and financial structure were not yet finalised.

"The timing of this partnership, representing MAS E&M's (engineering and maintenance) first foray into the Indian aircraft maintenance market, is perfect as the Indian market is experiencing strong aircraft growth with manufacturers bullish on aircraft orders,"  MAS executive director and chief financial officer, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, stated in a press release.

He said MAS E&M had already commenced providing technical training to the first batch of 70 Indian trainees to be engaged in MRO operations. MAS would also provide certification in addition to operations and maintenance know-how.

GHIAL chief executive officer  PS Nair said the MRO would be another step towards making the Hyderabad airport an integrated aviation facility.

According to estimates of GHIAL and MAS, more than 200 new aircraft will be headed for India in the next two years, adding to the 300 aircraft currently in operations. In the next 8-10 years, there are expected to be 2,000 new planes in the country.