MRO & Manufacturing
Tata Projects and ASI Global Partner to Boost Indias Aviation Infrastructure
Tata Projects and ASI Global collaborate to develop advanced aircraft maintenance facilities, strengthening Indias domestic aviation infrastructure.
Tata Projects and ASI Global Partner to Transform India’s Aviation Infrastructure
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in the Indian aviation sector as Tata Projects Limited, a premier engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm in India, has officially entered into an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASI Global. This strategic Partnerships is set to address a critical gap in the nation’s infrastructure by providing end-to-end solutions for the design and construction of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities. As India continues to solidify its position as the world’s third-largest aviation market, the demand for domestic maintenance capabilities has never been higher.
The collaboration brings together two industry heavyweights with complementary strengths. Tata Projects is renowned for its massive local execution capabilities, evidenced by its involvement in high-profile projects like the Noida International Airport and the New Parliament Building. On the other side, ASI Global (Aircraft Support Industries) brings specialized expertise as a world leader in aircraft hangar design. By combining local EPC dominance with proprietary global technology, the partnership aims to deliver turnkey solutions not just for commercial airlines, but also for the defense sector, business aviation, and third-party MRO providers.
This agreement is more than a standard corporate alignment; it represents a concerted effort to localize critical aviation services. Currently, a significant portion of Indian aircraft must be sent abroad for heavy maintenance due to a lack of adequate domestic infrastructure. This partnership intends to reverse that trend, ensuring that the supporting infrastructure grows in tandem with the rapid expansion of India’s airline fleets.
The “Stressed Arch” Advantage in Hangar Construction
At the core of this partnership lies ASI Global’s proprietary “Stressed Arch” building system, a technology that promises to revolutionize how large-span structures are built in India. Traditional construction methods for massive hangars can be time-consuming, material-intensive, and fraught with safety risks associated with working at great heights. The Stressed Arch system addresses these challenges by allowing steel truss frames to be assembled flat on the ground. Once assembled, high-strength steel tendons are utilized to stress and lift the structure into its final arch shape.
The implications of this technology for the Aviation industry are substantial. The system allows for the creation of massive column-free spaces ranging from 60 meters to 300 meters wide. This capability is essential for accommodating the largest aircraft in operation today, such as the Airbus A380 or the Boeing 777, which require immense maneuvering space within maintenance bays. Furthermore, the reduction in steel usage compared to conventional structures translates to significant cost efficiencies, a crucial factor for MRO operators managing tight margins.
Beyond cost and space, the safety and speed of construction are notable benefits. By conducting the majority of the assembly at ground level, the risks associated with high-altitude construction are drastically minimized. This method also accelerates project timelines, allowing facilities to become operational much faster than traditional builds. While the primary focus is aviation, the modular nature of this system means it can be adapted for other large-span applications, including sports centers and exhibition halls.
“Our extensive experience in aircraft hangar design… coupled with Tata Projects’ proven track record… provides a very compelling case to the market. Add to this Tata’s in-house steel fabrication capability, and we are truly offering a one-stop solution.”
Market Dynamics and Economic Impact
The timing of this MoU aligns perfectly with the broader economic trajectory of India’s aviation sector. Industry projections indicate that the domestic MRO market is poised to grow from approximately $1.7 billion in 2021 to $4 billion by 2031. This growth is driven by an aggressive fleet expansion, with Indian Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa having over 1,500 aircraft on order. Without a corresponding increase in domestic maintenance capacity, the industry would face a bottleneck, forcing airlines to continue relying on foreign MRO providers in regions like Singapore or the Middle East.
Government policy is also playing a supportive role in this ecosystem. The recent reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on MRO services from 18% to 5% has made domestic repairs significantly more competitive. This fiscal incentive, combined with the “Make in India” initiative, encourages companies to invest in local capabilities. The Tata Projects and ASI Global alliance is a direct response to these favorable market conditions, positioning itself to capture a significant share of the growing demand for hangarage and maintenance facilities.
Financially, Tata Projects enters this partnership on strong footing. For the fiscal year 2024, the company reported a revenue of ₹17,247 Crore (approximately $2.05 Billion) and a net profit of ₹139 Crore, marking a strategic return to profitability. Their ongoing work at the Noida International Airport, where they are constructing the terminal and airside infrastructure, places them in a prime position to bid for and execute future MRO hubs at that specific site, further integrating their service offerings.
Concluding Perspectives
The partnership between Tata Projects and ASI Global signifies a shift toward self-reliance in India’s aviation infrastructure. By offering a “one-stop-shop” for civil works, steel fabrication, and specialized hangar technology, the alliance eliminates the fragmentation that often plagues large-scale infrastructure projects. This streamlined approach is expected to deliver ready-to-operate assets more efficiently, helping Indian carriers save time and foreign exchange by servicing their fleets domestically.
Looking ahead, the success of this collaboration could set a new benchmark for infrastructure development in the region. As the Indian aviation market continues its upward trajectory, the availability of world-class MRO facilities will be a critical enabler of sustained growth. This move not only supports the operational needs of airlines but also strengthens the overall ecosystem, potentially attracting more global players to establish a base in India.
FAQ
What is the primary goal of the partnership between Tata Projects and ASI Global?
The partnership aims to provide turnkey solutions for designing and constructing aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in India, addressing the shortage of domestic aviation infrastructure.
What is the “Stressed Arch” technology mentioned in the agreement?
It is a proprietary building system by ASI Global where steel frames are assembled on the ground and then stressed into an arch shape. It allows for massive column-free spans (up to 300m), reduces steel usage, and improves construction safety and speed.
Why is this partnership significant for the Indian aviation market?
With Indian airlines having over 1,500 aircraft on order and the MRO market projected to reach $4 billion by 2031, this partnership helps build the necessary local infrastructure to service these planes, reducing reliance on foreign maintenance providers.
Sources
Photo Credit: ASI Global
MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Opens $140M LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Mexico
Safran Aircraft Engines inaugurated a $140M LEAP engine maintenance facility in Querétaro, targeting 350 shop visits annually by 2030.
Safran Aircraft Engines officially opened a $140 million maintenance facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 1, 2026, expanding its capacity to service the rapidly growing global fleet of CFM LEAP engines. The new shop adds significant infrastructure to the manufacturers footprint in the Americas, targeting the high-volume narrowbody market.
The facility is part of a broader €1 billion global investment strategy by the company to scale its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. The CFM LEAP engine powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are seeing increased shop visit demand as early-delivery airframes mature.
Scaling LEAP engine maintenance in the Americas
The comprehensive MRO hub in Querétaro spans a total footprint of 50,000 square meters. Safran projects that by 2030, the two maintenance facilities located at the site will be capable of handling 350 LEAP engine shop visits annually. The site also features a new test cell designed to perform 350 engine tests per year by the end of the decade.
In a press release issued to mark the opening, Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, stated that the inauguration strengthens the Querétaro hub’s role at the center of the company’s maintenance ecosystem in the Americas.
Workforce growth and training initiatives
The new engine shop will employ 450 people when operating at full capacity. This expansion adds to the existing workforce across the four Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas facilities in Querétaro, which currently stands at 1,450 employees. Safran projects the total headcount for its Querétaro operations will reach 2,000 by 2030.
To support this rapid workforce expansion, the company established an onsite training center in partnership with local educational institutions. The center is designed to train 300 inspectors and technicians annually, creating a direct pipeline of qualified personnel for the MRO hub.
“With continued investment in Mexico and around the world we will address the growing global demand for LEAP engine maintenance while continuing to deliver world class support to our customers in the region,” Cueille said.
Global MRO network expansion
The Querétaro engine shop inauguration aligns with Safran Aircraft Engines’ €1 billion global investment plan. To support the expanding CFM LEAP engine fleet, the company recently opened similar maintenance facilities in India, Morocco, and Belgium.
The broader Safran Group is also increasing its footprint in Mexico across other divisions. On June 10, 2026, Safran Landing Systems announced an expansion of its global MRO capabilities, which included its separate Querétaro site, to support landing gear maintenance for Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
The aggressive expansion of Safran’s MRO network underscores the industry-wide pressure to keep next-generation narrowbody fleets operational. As the CFM LEAP engine matures and the installed base on Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grows, shop visit demand is accelerating. We view the $140 million investment in Querétaro as a strategic move to localize heavy maintenance near major North and South American operators, reducing turnaround times and logistical bottlenecks. The concurrent focus on local workforce training highlights a critical challenge in the MRO sector: securing the qualified technicians required to meet projected maintenance volumes over the next decade.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
MRO & Manufacturing
Daher Aircraft Opens MRO Center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport
Daher Aircraft inaugurated a 6,000 sq-meter MRO facility at Jonzac-Neulles Airport on July 3, 2026, replacing its former Merpins site.
Daher Aircraft officially opened a 6,000-square-meter maintenance, overhaul, and logistics center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) on July 3, 2026, consolidating its regional support operations and gaining direct runway access for on-aircraft services.
The purpose-built facility in France’s Charente-Maritime Department replaces the manufacturer’s previous site in Merpins, located 25 kilometers to the north. According to a press release issued by the company, the relocation ensures continuity for existing service contracts while providing the physical capacity to expand its support network for a diverse fleet of civil and military aircraft.
Expanded capabilities and runway access
The transition to Jonzac-Neulles Airport provides Daher Aircraft with direct access to a 1,370-meter runway. This infrastructure addition allows the company to perform on-aircraft maintenance and technical support that was not feasible at the landlocked Merpins location.
The center offers a broad portfolio of services, operating both under direct contract and as a supplier. Supported aircraft range from Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie to training airplanes manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft and Grob Aircraft.
The facility houses specialized workshops for composite airframe repair, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul, and Level 2 non-destructive testing.
Legacy fleet support and regional investment
A primary function of the new hub is maintaining the global fleet of approximately 3,000 legacy general aviation and training aircraft produced by SOCATA, Daher Aircraft’s predecessor. The center will provide spare parts supply, repair services, and replacement part manufacturing for the SOCATA TB and Rallye aircraft families under the company’s Part 21J Design Organization Approval.
Local government authorities, specifically the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, spearheaded the construction of the facility. The project was initiated under former president Claude Belot and inaugurated with current president and Jonzac mayor Christophe Cabri in attendance.
“This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides,”
said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. He credited the local government’s support as instrumental in completing the project.
The operation currently employs 32 personnel who transferred from the former Merpins site. Daher Aircraft projects the workforce will increase to approximately 40 employees by the end of 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The relocation to Jonzac-Neulles Airport represents a logical infrastructure upgrade for Daher Aircraft. By securing direct runway access, the company eliminates the logistical friction of transporting aircraft components over land for overhaul and opens the door to fly-in maintenance services. We view this as a strategic consolidation that protects Daher’s lucrative legacy support business while positioning the facility to capture third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contracts for other general aviation manufacturers.
Sources: Daher Aircraft
Photo Credit: Daher Aircraft
MRO & Manufacturing
Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
Honeywell Aerospace has secured a $249 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide repair and overhaul services for the T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines powering the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.
The three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, announced in a June 2026 press release, ensures a continuous supply of serviceable powerplants for the military through May 2029. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal officially awarded the Contracts on May 21, 2026.
Commercial processes drive military maintenance efficiency
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work will take place at Honeywell’s aerospace headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company is applying commercial aviation maintenance methodologies to its military engine overhaul program to increase throughput and reduce turnaround times.
Brian Laughton, Senior Director and Site Leader of the Phoenix repair facility, stated that the T55 line utilizes the same processes applied to the company’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified lines for business jet turbofan engines.
Capitalizing on these proven commercial processes has enabled us to double our capacity in the facility and reduce cycle time to ensure we are meeting delivery commitments to our customers.
Legacy and evolution of the T55 engine program
The T55 engine originally entered service in 1961. Over the past six decades, Honeywell has manufactured more than 6,000 T55 engines, accumulating approximately 12 million flight hours across the CH-47 and MH-47 variants.
The powerplant has undergone significant upgrades since its introduction. The current T55-GA-714A variant produces approximately 5,000 shaft horsepower, representing a threefold increase in output compared to the original 1960s design. The engine currently supports the U.S. Army and more than 15 international military operators.
Dave Marinick, President of Engines & Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, noted the company’s long-term commitment to the platform, stating that Honeywell looks forward to continuing its support for the engine program for decades to come.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that cross-pollinating commercial FAA-certified maintenance practices into military depot-level work is becoming a critical strategy for aerospace Manufacturers. By doubling facility capacity without necessarily expanding the physical footprint, Honeywell is addressing the persistent supply chain and turnaround time bottlenecks that have challenged military readiness in recent years. The $249 million valuation for a three-year period highlights the intense operational tempo and heavy utilization of the global Chinook fleet.
Sources: Honeywell Aerospace
Photo Credit: Boeing
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