New Maintenance Hub Planned in Central India

New Maintenance Hub Planned at Raja Bhoj Airport in Central India

Development of a Strategic MRO Facility

Central India is poised to become a significant player in the country’s aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector with the establishment of a new facility at Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal. Historically, India’s MRO infrastructure has been concentrated in major metropolitan centers such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, leaving central regions underserved. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has expressed strong support for this initiative, providing the necessary approvals and infrastructure backing to facilitate the project’s development.

A key driver behind this development is Inavia Aviation, a German-based aviation firm planning to invest approximately $18 million to build the MRO facility on a four-acre plot leased from AAI. Construction is expected to commence soon, with operations targeted to begin by mid-2025. The facility will initially specialize in line and base maintenance for narrowbody aircraft, focusing on popular models such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. There are also plans to expand services to include component repairs and potentially a teardown facility in the future.

In addition to Inavia Aviation’s project, Jet Serve Private Limited, a Gurugram-based company, has submitted a letter of intent to establish another MRO unit near Raja Bhoj Airport. This proposal, which requests 20 acres of land, is currently under review by state authorities, indicating growing interest in expanding MRO capabilities in the region.

Logistical Advantages of Raja Bhoj Airport

Raja Bhoj Airport’s location on the outskirts of Bhopal offers several logistical benefits that make it an attractive site for MRO operations. The availability of land and relatively low air traffic congestion provide operational flexibility that is often lacking at India’s busier metropolitan airports. Furthermore, the airport’s proximity to central India’s key aviation corridors facilitates easier access for aircraft requiring maintenance.

The airport’s open slot availability allows for quicker turnaround times, a critical factor in minimizing aircraft downtime during maintenance. This contrasts sharply with the congested schedules at major hubs, where limited slots can delay essential servicing and repairs.

Implications for Regional Aviation Services

Until now, airlines and lessors operating in central India have faced the challenge of transporting aircraft to distant locations or even overseas for comprehensive maintenance checks. This has resulted in increased downtime and higher logistical costs. The development of MRO facilities at Raja Bhoj Airport marks a departure from the traditional metro-centric model of aircraft maintenance in India.

By decentralizing MRO services and investing in underutilized regions such as Madhya Pradesh, India can foster a more resilient and geographically inclusive maintenance network. As regional connectivity initiatives and secondary airports continue to expand, the demand for localized MRO facilities beyond the major metropolitan centers is expected to grow, underscoring the strategic importance of this new development in Bhopal.