Niti Aayog Report: 133 Indian Airline Planes Grounded

Niti Aayog Report Reveals 133 Indian Airline Aircraft Grounded

Flight technician Abhiram Singh, currently employed with Emirates in Dubai, highlights a significant disparity in aircraft maintenance standards between India and the UAE. Singh explains that while Indian ground staff typically conduct only a single round of checks at the base, aircraft in Dubai undergo three to four rounds of inspections. He further notes the inconsistency in engineer attendance during these tests in India and criticizes the overall quality of maintenance checks as substandard. Singh’s decision to leave India was influenced by long working hours—up to 12 hours daily—low remuneration, and inadequate aircraft upkeep.

Operational Challenges and Fleet Groundings

These maintenance concerns coincide with mounting operational difficulties faced by Indian airlines. A recent Niti Aayog report indicates that as of March 2025, approximately 16% of India’s commercial aircraft fleet, equating to around 133 planes, remains grounded. Go Airlines has been particularly affected, with nearly half of its fleet out of service during the fiscal year 2024 due to engine faults. IndiGo, the nation’s largest carrier, has also experienced significant disruptions, with 60 to 70 aircraft grounded as of January 2025, primarily because of inspections related to Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. At one point, IndiGo had nearly 130 GTF-powered aircraft sidelined. Despite these operational setbacks, IndiGo reported a robust 79% year-over-year increase in pre-tax profit for the March quarter, demonstrating resilience amid ongoing challenges.

The Niti Aayog report attributes these issues largely to supply chain disruptions and engine failures, which are impeding the growth trajectory of India’s aviation sector. The grounding of aircraft has been further exacerbated by external events, including the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This incident presents a critical challenge to Air India’s transformation initiative, Vihaan.AI, potentially affecting both the airline’s reputation and the broader industry’s momentum. Additionally, geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, along with associated airspace restrictions, continue to disrupt flight routes and airline operations.

Prospects for Growth and Domestic Maintenance Development

Despite these hurdles, the future outlook for Indian aviation remains optimistic. India is projected to become the world’s third-largest purchaser of commercial aircraft, trailing only the United States and China. The government has articulated ambitions to establish the country as a global hub for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, aiming to fulfill 90% of domestic MRO needs by 2040. Presently, Indian MRO providers depend heavily on foreign companies, but concerted efforts are underway to enhance domestic capabilities.

Niti Aayog forecasts that the Indian MRO industry will expand from $1.7 billion in 2021 to $4 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of 8.9%. Key players in this sector include Air India Engineering Services Ltd., Max MRO Pvt. Ltd., Air Works India, Taj Air, Deccan Charters, Bird ExecuJet, Indamer Aviation, and GMR Aero Technic. Indian airlines allocate between 12% and 15% of their revenue to maintenance, frequently outsourcing engine and heavy maintenance tasks to third-party vendors.

As the global aircraft fleet ages, maintenance expenses and the risk of in-flight incidents are expected to increase. Nevertheless, with a stable market outlook and anticipated growth in both domestic and international travel, India’s aviation sector is positioned for expansion, contingent upon its ability to effectively address maintenance and operational challenges.