NOIDA: Domestic carrier Akasa Air on Friday announced plans to establish the first maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Noida International Airport.The airline will set up the MRO unit on a 40-acre parcel within the airport premises during the first phase of the airport, which is likely to be inaugurated soon. In the longer term, a much larger aviation and MRO hub spread across 1,365 hectares has been earmarked for the airport’s second phase.Shailendra Bhatia, nodal officer of Noida International Airport Limited, UP govt’s special purpose vehicle overseeing the project, said the facility will be developed under the concession agreement signed with the airport operator.“The MRO will cater to the maintenance and repair requirements of aircraft operated by all airlines flying from the Noida International Airport,” Bhatia, who is also the additional CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, told TOI. He did not specify a timeline for the construction of the facility.Three airlines—IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express—have already confirmed plans to operate from the upcoming airport. While carriers have not announced specific routes yet, officials earlier indicated that initial flights are likely to connect Noida with major metro cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.Noida International Airport CEO Christoph Schnellmann said the move would strengthen the country’s aviation infrastructure. “Akasa Air’s decision to establish its first MRO facility at Noida International Airport will enhance India’s MRO capabilities while creating opportunities for skill development and employment in the region,” he said.The facility will also be the first MRO base for Akasa Air since the airline began operations in Aug 2022. Founder and CEO Vinay Dube said building domestic maintenance capacity is essential as the country’s aviation sector expands rapidly. “Developing strong MRO capabilities will help airlines operate efficiently and reliably at scale while strengthening a more self-reliant aviation ecosystem,” he said.Akasa Air currently operates flights on 26 domestic and six international routes.On March 6, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aviation regulator, issued the aerodrome licence to Noida airport, marking a key step towards the start of flight operations.
