Govt to set up aircraft maintenance facility at BPIA | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The state govt will set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit at Biju Patnaik International Airport for aircraft repair services in the region. The facility will utilise the newly constructed hangar spanning 4,670 square metres.
Currently, airlines operating from Bhubaneswar rely on other airports for aircraft maintenance, causing operational delays and additional costs. The new MRO facility, capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Airbus 321, will be operated by a private entity selected through a govt tender process, officials said.
“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) board has already approved the handover of the hangar for the MRO facility to the state govt. This development is expected to enhance the airport’s capabilities and potentially attract more airlines to operate from Bhubaneswar,” said airport director Prasanna Pradhan.
The establishment of the facility marks a significant step in improving aviation infrastructure in eastern India and is likely to generate employment opportunities in the aviation sector, officials said. Pradhan said the govt will pay the rent every month for using the hangar as an MRO unit. “The apron in front of it and the taxiway will also be used for paving the way for the aircraft into the unit. The modalities for rent and other components will be decided in due time,” Pradhan added.
There are small and big carriers and airlines in the maintenance sector who may be interested in taking the job of running the MRO. “Besides big aircrafts, small planes, choppers and helicopters can undergo repair in the MRO that will run solely under the supervision of the state govt,” officials said.
In 2024, the airport registered a 26.9% growth in passenger footfall compared to the previous year. The target of achieving five million annual footfall in 2024 (calendar year) was not possible because between Oct and Dec, the footfall was almost on par with that of 2023 in the corresponding period, indicating slow growth.
With around 52 arrivals and equal departures being handled daily at the airport, with new domestic destinations being added, the MRO will be of immense help to solve technical glitches of the aircraft. This year, the airport hopes to achieve the five million annual footfall target with more flights for overseas and domestic operations coming up. In 2022-23, the city airport recorded 30,745 aircraft movements (scheduled operations), but in 2023-24, it went up to 35,368 aircraft.
Currently, airlines operating from Bhubaneswar rely on other airports for aircraft maintenance, causing operational delays and additional costs. The new MRO facility, capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Airbus 321, will be operated by a private entity selected through a govt tender process, officials said.
“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) board has already approved the handover of the hangar for the MRO facility to the state govt. This development is expected to enhance the airport’s capabilities and potentially attract more airlines to operate from Bhubaneswar,” said airport director Prasanna Pradhan.
The establishment of the facility marks a significant step in improving aviation infrastructure in eastern India and is likely to generate employment opportunities in the aviation sector, officials said. Pradhan said the govt will pay the rent every month for using the hangar as an MRO unit. “The apron in front of it and the taxiway will also be used for paving the way for the aircraft into the unit. The modalities for rent and other components will be decided in due time,” Pradhan added.
There are small and big carriers and airlines in the maintenance sector who may be interested in taking the job of running the MRO. “Besides big aircrafts, small planes, choppers and helicopters can undergo repair in the MRO that will run solely under the supervision of the state govt,” officials said.
In 2024, the airport registered a 26.9% growth in passenger footfall compared to the previous year. The target of achieving five million annual footfall in 2024 (calendar year) was not possible because between Oct and Dec, the footfall was almost on par with that of 2023 in the corresponding period, indicating slow growth.
With around 52 arrivals and equal departures being handled daily at the airport, with new domestic destinations being added, the MRO will be of immense help to solve technical glitches of the aircraft. This year, the airport hopes to achieve the five million annual footfall target with more flights for overseas and domestic operations coming up. In 2022-23, the city airport recorded 30,745 aircraft movements (scheduled operations), but in 2023-24, it went up to 35,368 aircraft.
