India’s largest aircraft maintenance hub in Bhubaneswar to boost economy, employment

Bhubaneswar Airport is set to become a major aviation hub, with the country’s largest Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centre to be established at the prestigious Biju Patnaik International Airport. The facility will handle aircraft repair, maintenance, and refurbishment, creating significant employment opportunities in Odisha.

The State Cabinet has approved the proposal, and the Transport Department has appointed Air Works India (Engineering) Pvt. Ltd., the country’s oldest and largest MRO service provider, as the project’s investor.

According to the airport director, once operational, the facility will attract both domestic and international flights, boosting the demand for the aviation industry in the state.

 “Currently, airlines spend 12–15% of their revenue on aircraft maintenance and repairs, the services often outsourced to other states or overseas. The MRO project is expected to keep this expenditure within Odisha, accelerating the state’s industrial growth,” informed Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.

He further added that the facility will be a milestone for eastern India’s aviation and industrial development. NITI Aayog projects that India’s share in the global MRO market will reach USD 117 billion by 2031.

The project will be part of the B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network) scheme, with special incentives offered under the Industrial Policy Resolution 2022 to attract investors.

Once the MRO facility becomes operational at Bhubaneswar Airport, NITI Aayog estimates that India’s share in the global MRO market will reach USD 117 billion by 2031. The Airport Director added that with this project, many domestic and international flights will operate through Odisha, further boosting demand for aviation-related industries in the state.

“There has been a huge demand for commercial aircraft. So, the repairing & maintenance setup will require a lot of capital investment. So, I welcome the step taken by the state government,” informed BPI Director Prasanna Pradhan.