Mumbai | July 3, 2026: Air India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) to explore collaboration in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), a move aimed at strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure and supporting the country’s ambition of becoming a global aviation MRO hub.
The MoU was signed in Mumbai by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson and SIAEC Chief Executive Officer Chin Yau Seng.
The proposed collaboration will leverage SIAEC’s extensive technical expertise and Air India’s expanding operational network to jointly develop world-class maintenance capabilities in India. The partnership may also explore establishing an MRO Joint Venture in India to cater to the rapidly growing maintenance requirements of both Indian and regional aviation markets.
The announcement builds upon Air India’s existing partnership with SIAEC. In February 2024, both companies entered into a 12-year Inventory Technical Management (ITM) agreement to provide component support for Air India’s Airbus A320 family fleet. This was followed in May 2024 by the appointment of SIAEC as Air India’s strategic base maintenance partner for developing maintenance facilities in Bengaluru.
Speaking on the collaboration, Campbell Wilson said India’s aviation sector is witnessing unprecedented growth, creating an urgent need for stronger domestic maintenance capabilities.
“India’s rapid aviation growth is driving the need for a stronger, more self-reliant MRO ecosystem within the country. As fleet sizes expand and operations scale up, developing local maintenance capacity will be important to support efficiency, resilience and long-term growth.”
He added that strategic partnerships like this would contribute significantly towards developing India into a global aviation hub.
SIAEC CEO Chin Yau Seng echoed similar sentiments, highlighting India’s growing importance in global aviation.
“India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, and the continued development of its MRO capabilities will be an important step in strengthening its position within the global aerospace ecosystem.”
He said the company looks forward to supporting the progressive expansion of technical capabilities and maintenance capacity in India through its partnership with Air India.
As Air India continues its ambitious fleet expansion and transformation programme, investments in maintenance infrastructure are expected to play a crucial role in reducing overseas dependence, improving operational efficiency, and creating skilled employment opportunities within the country’s aviation sector.
The collaboration aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision of making India a global aviation and aerospace maintenance destination.
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