Air India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) to explore a strategic collaboration in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), reinforcing efforts to develop India into a leading global aviation maintenance hub. The agreement was signed in Mumbai on July 3, 2026, by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson and SIAEC Chief Executive Officer Chin Yau Seng. The proposed collaboration is expected to leverage the strengths of both organisations to expand MRO capabilities in India and cater to the growing requirements of the domestic and regional aviation sectors.
The MoU builds on an existing relationship between the two companies. In February 2024, Air India entered into a 12-year Inventory Technical Management (ITM) agreement with SIAEC to provide comprehensive component support for its Airbus A320 family fleet. This was followed by the appointment of SIAEC in May 2024 as Air India’s strategic partner for developing base maintenance facilities in Bengaluru.
Under the latest agreement, the companies will explore opportunities to jointly establish a world-class MRO ecosystem in India by combining Air India’s expanding operational network with SIAEC’s technical expertise and maintenance capabilities. The collaboration may also include the formation of a joint venture MRO facility in India to serve airlines across the country and the wider region.
The initiative comes at a time when India’s aviation sector is witnessing rapid expansion, driven by increasing passenger demand, fleet additions and network growth. Strengthening domestic MRO infrastructure is expected to reduce dependence on overseas maintenance providers, improve operational efficiency and support the country’s ambition of becoming a major aviation hub.
Commenting on the development, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said India’s aviation industry requires a stronger and more self-reliant maintenance ecosystem to support long-term growth. He noted that expanding local MRO capacity would enhance operational resilience and efficiency while contributing to the country’s emergence as a global aviation hub.
SIAEC Chief Executive Officer Chin Yau Seng said India remains one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and that expanding its MRO capabilities would strengthen its role in the international aerospace industry. He added that the agreement provides an opportunity to combine SIAEC’s technical expertise with Air India’s growth plans to progressively build advanced maintenance capabilities and capacity within India.
The partnership underscores both companies’ long-term commitment to supporting the evolution of India’s aviation ecosystem through world-class maintenance infrastructure and technical excellence. The Air India Group, comprising the full-service global airline Air India and the value carrier Air India Express, is leading a new chapter in the evolution of Indian aviation. Its journey began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight, laying the foundation for commercial aviation in India.
Today, the Air India Group employs over 30,000 people, operates a fleet of more than 300 aircraft, and connects passengers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents. Following its return to the Tata Group in 2022 after 70 years of government ownership, Air India embarked on Vihaan.AI, a comprehensive five-year transformation programme aimed at redefining the airline’s future. As part of this ambitious initiative, the Group has placed orders for 600 new aircraft while simultaneously undertaking a phased retrofit of its existing fleet to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
The Air India Group also operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India, with a new flying school and a state-of-the-art greenfield maintenance base currently under development to strengthen its training and engineering capabilities. Driven by a bold transformation strategy and inspired by India’s renowned tradition of hospitality, the Air India Group is committed to becoming a world-class global airline that combines operational excellence with the warmth and spirit of an Indian heart.
