NIAL To Invite EoIs For Developing Dedicated MRO Facility At Noida International Airport

Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL) officials have announced that they are likely to invite expressions of interest (EoI) this week — for the development of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at the upcoming airport in Jewar.

MRO, refers to the activities involved in maintaining, repairing, and overhauling aircraft, aircraft components, and systems to ensure their airworthiness and safe operations. It is an essential part of the aviation industry.

The EoI will be open until October this year. NIAL is expecting a response not only from commercial airlines and private operators but also from aircraft manufacturers. This indicates a wide range of potential participants in the development of the MRO facilities.

"The EoI for developing MRO facilities at Noida International Airport will be floated soon, likely this week. We are expecting a response from private operators, airlines and aircraft manufacturers for the MRO," NIAL's chief executive officer Arun Vir Singh stated, as per Economic Times report.

The EOI will serve as a tool for the procuring entity to evaluate the suitability of potential bidders before proceeding with the formal bidding process.

The Uttar Pradesh government aims to develop the Noida airport as a significant hub, not only for airline operations and cargo transfers but also as a centre for MRO services.

This is particularly important as there is currently a lack of a major MRO facility in the country. There are small MRO facilities but the country is yet to have a massive facility on the lines of Singapore or Colombo.

In a previous interview, Singh explained, “As of now, for major overhauling or repairing work, aircrafts are sent to Seattle or France”.

He added, “That is the reason why our country and the state government is keen to have a full-fledged MRO in Jewar. That is why we are acquiring 1,365 hectares of land for a runway and an MRO facility. We are talking to big companies like Airbus, Boeing and others for establishing an MRO in India”.

To encourage the development and expansion of MRO facilities in the state, the government is implementing various initiatives.

These include providing incentives and subsidies to attract MRO operators, as well as offering land allocation and tax benefits.