GURUGRAM- Air India (AI) is shifting its aircraft maintenance strategy by leaning on shareholder Singapore Airlines (SQ) to strengthen internal capabilities.
This comes in the wake of a tragic crash involving flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad (AMD), which triggered a sector-wide audit and renewed focus on safety.
With Singapore Airlines holding a 25.1% stake, Air India aims to internalize key Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services currently handled by state-owned AI Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL), seeking to improve fleet reliability and safety standards.
Photo: SIA EngineeringAir India Singapore Airlines Maintenance
Air India is initiating a phased transition to bring pre-flight checks, minor repairs, and daily aircraft inspections in-house.
These responsibilities were previously outsourced to AIESL, a legacy provider from Air India’s pre-privatization era.
According to Bloomberg, the shift aligns with Tata Group’s broader restructuring plans since acquiring Air India in 2022.
The move gained urgency after the fatal crash of AI 171 in June, which killed 241 of 242 onboard. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the incident exposed gaps in operational oversight and spurred the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct a comprehensive safety audit.
The DGCA’s audit found 93 safety-related issues in Air India’s operations, the highest among Indian carriers. In contrast, IndiGo (6E) and SpiceJet (SG) recorded 23 and 14 findings, respectively.
These findings underscored longstanding internal concerns about AIESL’s service quality, including reports of poor aircraft hygiene and maintenance lapses.
Photo: SIA Engineering CompanyRole of Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SQ), which holds a significant minority stake in Air India, is offering expertise and support to guide this transition.
The collaboration signals a reversal of roles; decades ago, Air India assisted SIA during its early operational years. Now, SIA’s advanced maintenance practices are expected to bolster Air India’s internal capabilities.
An SIA spokesperson confirmed their involvement, stating they are actively engaged in supporting Air India’s transformation plan, particularly in areas requiring technical expertise.
As Air India plans for long-term operational self-reliance, SIA’s involvement is seen as crucial in ensuring smooth knowledge transfer and high standards of execution.
Photo: CHEN AI | JetPhotosPreparing for Fleet Expansion
Air India has ambitious growth plans, with 570 aircraft on order, including a significant number of widebody jets, to expand both domestic and international routes. Its current fleet includes 191 aircraft, while low-cost arm Air India Express (IX) operates 115 planes, according to Flightradar24.
An airline spokesperson emphasized that India’s current MRO infrastructure cannot support this scale. To sustain operations at global standards, Air India must invest in local MRO capacity and reduce dependency on external vendors.
Although Air India continues to work with AIESL, the airline is clear that long-term goals require building robust, in-house capabilities to meet safety and reliability expectations.
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANM, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58290529Industry Impact
Air India’s maintenance overhaul has broader implications for both the airline and its stakeholders. The crash, followed by audit revelations, placed a spotlight on India’s aviation safety and regulatory frameworks.
For Singapore Airlines, the turbulence has had financial consequences, contributing to a 59% decline in quarterly profit ending June 30.
As the carrier repositions itself in the global aviation landscape, operational reliability has become a top priority, not only to meet safety standards but also to regain passenger confidence and protect shareholder value.
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