Rolls-Royce Contemplates MRO Facility In India Following Air India Deal
In the wake of the recent Air India deal, Rolls-Royce, the British aerospace company, is exploring the possibility of establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre in India. While a final decision is yet to be made, a senior official from Rolls-Royce”s India subsidiary has indicated that the feasibility of such a facility would hinge on the volume of orders placed by Indian airlines for wide-body aircraft.
Considerations for MRO Facility:
Seniors from the Rolls-Royce India, expressed the company”s openness to the idea of an MRO centre in India but emphasised the critical factors of volume and scale. He noted that establishing MRO facilities is a substantial investment and is contingent on the demand for wide-body aircraft maintenance services. Rolls-Royce currently operates MRO centres in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the UK, and the US.
Air India”s Engine Order:
Rolls-Royce secured a significant order from Air India in February for 68 Trent XWB-97 engines, with options for an additional 20. These engines will power the Airbus A350-1000, marking the first time an Indian airline has chosen the Trent XWB engine. The order also includes 12 Trent XWB-84 engines for the Airbus A350-900. This deal positions Air India as the largest operator of the Trent XWB-97 globally.
Growth Prospects in India:
There is substantial growth potential in India”s wide-body aircraft market, anticipating further orders beyond the initial 100 engines. With Air India set to become the first Indian airline to operate the A350 commercial jet, Rolls-Royce is actively supporting the airline”s transition, including on-ground assistance in Delhi and engine monitoring support.
Collaboration with Air India:
Rolls-Royce underscored its commitment to supporting Air India over the lifecycle of the engines, which typically undergo maintenance procedures over a 20-year span. The company”s Bengaluru engineering centre played a pivotal role in designing the XWB engines, reflecting Rolls-Royce”s significant presence and growth in India. With 2,500 engineers dedicated to civil and defence aerospace projects, Rolls-Royce aims to strengthen its relationship with Air India as the aviation landscape evolves.
As the aviation industry in India experiences transformative developments, Rolls-Royce”s consideration of an MRO facility reflects the company”s strategic approach to cater to the growing demands of the market. The collaboration with Air India marks a milestone, and the potential establishment of an MRO centre in India signifies a proactive step to enhance support for the maintenance and upkeep of advanced aircraft engines in the region.
