MRO

Projecting Ideas for Domestic Manufacturing Opportunities in the Civil Aviation Sector By Rishikesh Mishra Indian aviation is on the trajectory of fast development. After implementation of Open Sky Policy in the year 1990, this industry has crossed through various ups and downs. It is settled in last 10 years taking a stable path. The Indian aviation market is poised to be the third largest in the world. Moreover, the recent announcements made by Indian carriers for induction of aircraft rose to over 1200 plus. Our strength in trained human resource and skilled management has reached to its optimum level. Now we can say that we can explore other areas to be self-reliant in this sector and reduce overseas dependency. Component and aircraft manufacturing is such arena where still there is dominancy of developed countries. But gradually we have been entering into the marketing sector of components including engines. 1. A prioritised list of civil aviation products that can be made in the country Tier 1 (0–2 years): immediate localisation (high volume, low airworthiness friction) A. Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and MRO Tools • Tow bars, wheel chocks, jacks/axle stands, and docking platforms • Stands for moving engines, APUs, pallets, and shipping equipment • Tool kits that have been calibrated and special tools like rig pins and alignment tools B. Cabin interiors (parts that are not structural or safety-critical) • Panels for the ceiling and sidewalls, PSU panels, trim parts, ducts, and shrouds • Hardware for storing things, signs and placards, and plastic parts inside • Seat covers, cushions, rugs, and curtains C. “Standard” parts made of sheet metal and CNC machining (not critical) • Simple fittings, brackets, clamps, clips, covers, spacers, and shims • Fairings and non-primary panels; door hardware (chosen) D. Connecting and using electrical wires • Bonding leads, wiring harnesses/looms, and ground straps • Junction boxes, clamp kits, cable trays, and relay panels E. Common spare parts and things that run out • Insulation blankets, seals, gaskets, and O-rings (qualified elastomers) • Sleeving and tapes, protective covers, packaging, and kitting [Adopting AS9100D, FAI (AS9102), traceability, workmanship standards, and basic environmental verification when needed are the main things that make this possible.] Tier 2 (2–5 years): Medium complexity (needs process qualification and testing) A. Composite and bonded assemblies (chosen scope) • Honeycomb/sandwich panels (not the main ones to start), composite fairings • Covers for radomes and antennas, access panels, and certified interior monuments B. Chosen parts for hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel, and ECS • Chosen qualified rigid tubing, flexible hoses, fittings, filters, and manifolds • ECS ducting and insulation systems (not in the hot part) C. The ecosystem of landing gear (some of its parts) • Chosen: pins, bushings, bearings, spacers, and torque links • Brake wear indicators, hoses and fittings, and ground locks D. Hardware for avionics mechanics, enclosures, and integration, such as EMI/EMC gaskets, avionics racks/trays, cooling ducts, and antenna subassemblies. • Sensor mounts, brackets, and housings [Important Factors: Special process control, the ability to do non-destructive testing (NDT), cleanliness and pressure testing, support for DO-160 aligned testing, and configuration control.] To be in Tier 3 (5+ years):Need to have a strategic ability (high criticality + deep certification). A. LRUs for avionics that are safety-critical and high-integrity electronics • Certified flight/safety-critical LRUs (hardware and software) and advanced power electronics B. Main structures and big structural assemblies • Structures that hold up the load of the wing and fuselage, as well as big composite primary assemblies C. Advanced parts for the engine and APU, such as the hot section and long horizon • Materials, coatings, and important rotating parts that can handle high temperatures (with OEM/authority approval) [The main things that make this possible are DO-178C/DO-254 programs, high-end environmental and EMI labs, fatigue and endurance rigs, metallurgical labs, mature Part-21 style oversight, and working with OEMs.] SUPPORT REQUIRED FROM GOVERNMENT: The government needs to help this industry for big changes that will have a big effect. 1. A shared national infrastructure for certification and testing for DO-160 environmental, EMC/EMI, vibration, thermal, humidity; materials and fatigue testing; and metrology/calibration hubs. 2. Quick regulatory paths for localisation: clear ways for parts made in the country to be accepted through processes that follow DGCA rules (conformity, traceability, FAI, approved data). 3. Helping MSMEs improve their quality: subsidised adoption of AS9100D, auditor pools, supplier development programs, special-process training, and support for getting qualified. 4. Long-term procurement visibility and demand aggregation: airline/MRO pooled demand forecasting, rate contracts, and localisation targets with clear part families. 5. Making customs and logistics easier for aviation parts: faster clearance lanes for AOG and critical parts, bonded logistics support, and easier loops for re-exporting and fixing parts. 6. Tier-2 and Tier-3 R&D incentives: money for testing rigs, composites, sensors, avionics, and other things; tax breaks for qualified tooling and certification costs. 7. A structured partnership framework between OEMs, lessors, and airlines that gives them incentives to share technology, get licenses to make things, and improve their repair skills in India. 8. Skill development has taken centre stage with tailor-made training and vocational courses that create industry-ready workers who owe demand for skilled MRO professionals. This focus on skill development ensures a steady supply of qualified technicians and engineers for the industry. 9. Introduction of Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) under Skill India Mission(NSDC) in the specialized skill training arena, GOI can plan to produce maximum number of specialized trained professionals(Aircraft Maintenance and Aircraft Manufacturing) to meet the requirement of such professionals in the fast-expanding aviation industry. 10. Under the current rules to approve AME Training Centre, aircraft and engine MROs approved under CAR 145 are only be eligible. Status of old /existing AME Colleges has been just asked to continue with basic changes incorporated in the course design and on job training requirements. In this process, CAR 145 Organizations who have approvals in the component/Parts category and follow the same regulation as of aircraft and engine MROs and enjoys the same privileges except permission to develop

Germany,22nd May 2026: Liebherr-Aerospace has been selected by Finland’s flag carrier Finnair to perform the overhaul of the nose landing gear systems for Airbus A350 aircraft.Leveraging on its extensive experience as both theOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and a specialized center for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of landing gear systems, Liebherr-Aerospace’s facility in Lindenberg (Germany) will perform all overhaul activities inhouse. “The industry is moving now into the next global landing gear overhaul wave, entering a decisive planning phase for anticipating and securing future slots,” said Alex Vlielander, Chief Customer Officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS. “We are delighted and grateful to Finnair for this agreement, which marks a significant step forward in our partnership and highlights the strong mutual trust between our companies. It further strengthens our role as a key support partner for Finnair’s A350 fleet.” The nose landing gear system for the Airbus A350 has been developed, manufactured and certified by OEM Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, Liebherr’s center of competence for flight controls, landing gear systems, gears, gearboxes as well as electronics.

Bengaluru, May 12, 2026: Bodo Möller Chemie, a global supplier of specialty adhesives, sealants, and advanced materials, inaugurated its new AS 9120 certified aviation-grade warehouse facility in Bengaluru. The new facility has been designed to support the increasing demand for high-quality aerospace materials and supply chain excellence from leading aviation and industrial OEMs across India, especially in Bengaluru to meet the growing demand from civilian & military manufacturing and MRO units. Frank Haug CEO, Bodo Moller Chemie at the inauguration in BengaluruSpeaking on the occasion,the CEO of Bodo Möller Chemie, Frank Haug said, “Bengaluru and India is expected to witness a major growth in aviation and electronics in the next five years.The warehouse will further strengthen our logistics supply chain in technical support & material availability for critical applications.” He further added,“India continues to emerge as a strategic hub for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. This investment reflects our confidence in the Indian market and our commitment to providing world-class infrastructure, technical expertise, and supply chain reliability to our customers. Across the globe, our turnover is expected to touch €100 million each in aviation and electronics in the years to come.” The event also featured the launch of the AS 9120 certified warehouse located strategically on the outskirts of Bengaluru off Madavara and the release of a corporate video showcasing Bodo Möller Chemie’s capabilities and vision for the Indian aerospace ecosystem. The leadership team presented the emerging opportunities in India’s aerospace, defense, electronics, and industrial manufacturing sectors, along with the growing need for advanced adhesive and material technologies. Bodo Möller Chemie serves global aviation and industrial leaders with high-performance solutions and continues to expand its footprint across key international markets through innovation, technical partnerships, and customer-focused service excellence.

Copenhagen,12th May 2026: Satair, an Airbus company, announced the completion of its acquisition of Unical Aviation Inc. and its subsidiary ecube. This milestone creates a premier, end-to-end global provider of Used Serviceable Material (USM) and aircraft lifecycle solutions. This agreement brings together Unical’s extensive inventory and distribution network, ecube’s world-class disassembly and storage capabilities, and Satair’s existing USM expertise through VAS Aero Services. As part of the new leadership structure, Sharon Green, CEO of Unical, will also assume the role of CEO of VAS Aero Services, ensuring strategic alignment across Satair’s USM business units, while Tommy Hughes assumes his full-time responsibilities as CCO of Satair. Richard Stoddart, CEO of Satair and Head of Airbus Material Services, commented:”Today is a major step forward. Bringing Unical and ecube into our business isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s about leveraging the circular economy to the benefit of our customers. We’re gaining excellent facilities and, crucially, a team of highly skilled professionals in the USM market. For our customers, this means better parts availability and a simpler way to manage an aircraft’s full lifecycle.” Sharon Green, CEO of Unical and VAS Aero Services, added: “Joining Satair marks the culmination of Unical and ecube’s transformation—and the beginning of a powerful next phase, bringing together our leadership in Used Serviceable Material and end-of-life capabilities with Satair’s global scale and Airbus’s vision for the future of material services. I’m proud of what our teams have built and confident that together we will deliver a true end-to-end lifecycle solution that improves material availability, extends asset life, and creates meaningful value for customers worldwide. Our teams are excited about joining Satair and working alongside new colleagues at VAS Aero Services—both highly respected and trusted organizations in our industry—and we look forward to delivering the full value of this combination across the global aviation market.” Industrialising the USM lifecycle With the integration of Unical and ecube’s major operational sites across North America and Europe, Satair significantly expands its industrial footprint. The acquisition advances Satair’s strategy to provide a seamless, “one-stop shop” flow of material—from aircraft storage and disassembly to technical repair management and global distribution. The combined operations will now begin a coordinated integration process, focused on coordinating our efforts across Satair, Unical, ecube, and VAS Aero Services to deliver a well-connected customer experience.

* Five-year agreement with Rolls-Royce for RB211-535, Trent 700 and Trent 800 fan blade repairs * Expands GKN Aerospace’s capabilities to include Trent 700 fan blades * Work to be carried out at newly expanded, state-of-the-art San Diego facility21st April 2026:GKN Aerospace has been awarded a new five-year contract with Rolls-Royce covering fan blade repairs for the RB211-535, Trent 700 and Trent 800 engine programmes.This agreement builds on more than 20 years of GKN Aerospace’s proven expertise in Trent 800 and RB211-535 fan blade, fan disk and annulus filler repairs. Under the new contract, GKN Aerospace will expand its capabilities to include Trent 700 fan blade repairs, providing the market with a new independent repair source to support these components. These mature and reliable engine platforms are expected to remain in service for many years. The expanded repair capability will help ensure continued operational excellence and fleet availability for operators worldwide, at a time of growing demand in the global MRO aftermarket. All work will be carried out at GKN Aerospace’s newly expanded, purpose-built 150,000 ft² San Diego facility. The site is equipped with state-of-the-art automation technology and advanced robotics, enabling highly efficient, consistent and high-quality repairs with reduced turnaround times. Leveraging decades of experience with Trent 800 and RB211-535 fan blades, the team will now extend this expertise to the Trent 700 engine family. Gerald Coste, Senior Vice President, GKN Aerospace Repair Solutions, said,” We are extremely proud to strengthen our long-standing relationship with Rolls-Royce through this new agreement. It reflects the confidence our customers place in our technical expertise, our investment in advanced repair technologies, and our commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.” GKN Aerospace is a global multi-technology leader in the aerospace and defence industry, specialising in the development and delivery of cutting-edge aerostructures and engine systems.

* Air India has selected Thales to provide FlytCARE turn-key maintenance for Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) systems, which will be installed on existing 777 and 787-8 aircraft (retrofit) as well as new 787-9 and A350 aircraft (linefit) over the next 2 years. * The 10-year FlytCARE turn-key maintenance agreement provides Air India with comprehensive support for line maintenance, spares, repairs and logistics management. * Thales is proud to partner with Air India to elevate the inflight passenger experience. New Delhi, 20th April 2026: Thales has announced today signing of a 10-year agreement with Air India for its FlytCARE services package. This agreement provides a full turn-key maintenance approach, covering line maintenance, spares, repairs and logistics management support for Thales’ inflight entertainment (IFE) systems on 57 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Under the FlytCARE agreement, repair and maintenance will be delivered from Thales locations at Delhi and Mumbai airports in India, to expedite services and support Air India’s customer-centric modernization journey. This agreement covers Air India’s 12 new widebody aircraft equipped with Thales’ AVANT UP inflight entertainment system. AVANT UP features a vast catalogue of content showcased on stunning 4K HDR touchscreens, along with 60W USB-C and USB-A fast charging for customer devices, and the ability to simultaneously pair two Bluetooth connections. Air India is the first carrier in the Asia Pacific region to fly with Thales’ AVANT Up solution. Jeremy Yew, Senior Vice President – Engineering & Maintenance, Air India “Ensuring the highest levels of reliability and uptime for our inflight entertainment systems is critical to delivering a world‑class experience for our guests. Our partnership with Thales under the FlytCARE programme strengthens Air India’s engineering ecosystem with faster turnaround, deeper technical support, and enhanced component availability. This collaboration directly supports our fleet modernization and our commitment to engineering excellence.” “Thales is grateful to Air India for their trust in awarding us a 10-year FlytCARE service contract for IFE equipment, which plays a key role in ensuring an exceptional passenger experience. We are honored to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Air India as they transform their inflight entertainment experience,” Thomas Got, Vice President, Aviation Global Services, Thales.

Czech Republic, 9th April 2026: Job Air Technic, European provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and a subsidiary of the FL Technics Group, has appointed Jakub Dvořák as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 May. He will succeed the current CEO, Imrich Czére. “Imrich has played an important role in leading Job Air Technic over the past two years and supporting its development Job Air Technic,” said Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics Group. “We thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” Jakub Dvořák has been appointed as new CEO of Job Air Technic and will assume leadership responsibilities. Jakub brings over 18 years of experience in aviation maintenance, combining deep technical expertise with senior leadership across both operational and strategic roles. Jacub has built his career at Job Air Technic over the last seven years, holding key positions including Technical Director. He is currently a Member of the Management Board at Job Air Technic a.s. “I look forward to working closely with the team at Job Air Technic and ensuring a smooth transition, while maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect,” said Jakub Dvořák. Job Air Technic will continue operating as usual, maintaining its focus on providing base maintenance services to airline customers across Europe. The company remains an integral part of FL Technics’ European MRO network, with ongoing efforts to ensure operational continuity and service quality.

Kuala Lumpur, 26th February 2026: Capital A Berhad reported its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025 (“4Q2025”) as well as the full financial year 2025 (“FY2025”).Following the disposal of the aviation business to AirAsia X Berhad, the Group now comprises five core businesses—ADE, Teleport, AirAsia MOVE, Santan and AirAsia Next. Accordingly, this quarter’s results reflect aviation performance only up to 3 December 2025—the divestment completion date—covering approximately two months for 4Q2025 and 11 months for FY2025. On a pre-elimination basis, the Capital A Companies generated RM1.06 billion in revenue in 4Q2025, surging 16% Year-on-Year (“YoY”). Margins proved resilient, with EBITDA rising in tandem with revenue by 7% YoY to RM111 million and Net Operating Profit (“NOP”) declined 12% YoY to RM45 million, due to lower interest income. However, interest expense was almost halved from a year ago. Profit After Tax (“PAT”) came in at RM9.82 billion, due to the large one-off gain relating to the disposal of aviation assets. For FY2025, revenue was RM3.39 billion, for an EBITDA of RM443 million and NOP of RM171 million. Highlights of the AirAsia Aviation Group With the disposal of the aviation business now completed, the Group will no longer present highlights for AirAsia Aviation Group from this quarter onwards. Highlights of Capital A Companies ADE Revenue for the quarter was RM247 million, up 31% YoY and 11% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”)—ADE’s best quarterly growth yet. This was driven by 51% YoY higher revenue from base maintenance, while line maintenance revenue rose 18% YoY on a greater number of flights handled. Growth was supported by expanding work for third-party airlines such as Air France, secured in the preceding quarter, reflecting growing recognition of ADE’s technical capabilities. EBITDA surged 79% YoY to RM55 million, with margins holding steady at 23%. Higher consumables tracked hangar capacity and activity expansion, offset by lower staff costs from operational optimisation initiatives. NOP and PAT margins came in at 11% and 14% respectively, supported by strong topline growth, favourable forex during the period and lower interest expenses following principal repayments. For FY2025, revenue reached a new high of nearly RM895 million, with EBITDA of RM205 million and RM93 million NOP, reflecting scale benefits and improved financial efficiency. CEO of ADE Mahesh Kumar on the business outlook: “ADE is entering its next phase of growth from a position of strength. We are finalising a USD100 million debt facility to strengthen our capital base and accelerate expansion beyond Malaysia into Thailand, the Philippines and Bahrain—anchored to AirAsia’s Middle East hub and opening access to Europe. In addition to scale, we are also building depth. As part of our workshop expansion, we are progressively enhancing component and engine-related expertise to capture higher-value work in the maintenance cycle. And with our training centre set to commence operations soon, we are also building the talent pipeline needed to sustain growth and position ADE as a leading regional MRO platform.” AirAsia MOVE Driven by the launch of the B2B business—which contributed approximately 55% of revenue—as well as continued personalisation initiatives, revenue in 4Q2025 tripled QoQ and nearly doubled YoY to RM300 million. Margins remained resilient, supported by minimal marketing spend under AirAsia MOVE’s unique social-led acquisition model, delivering an EBITDA of RM45 million and NOP of RM40 million. NOP margin also saw a significant 6ppts QoQ uptick due to lower interest expense. Excluding B2B, Flights transactions climbed 12% QoQ, while Gross Booking Value (“GBV”) rose 28% QoQ on higher average spend. Performance was underpinned by a market-leading ancillary strategy with attach rates 23% higher than peer OTAs. Flights also secured two major partnerships with VietJet and IndiGo to further diversify its portfolio. Stays continued to gain traction, with conversion improving to 2.3% from 1.9% a year ago, pushing transactions up 2% and growing GBV 18% YoY. Duty Free outperformed, with GBV increasing 157% YoY following the commencement of operations in the Philippines and Indonesia. For FY2025, revenue exceeded RM641 million, with an EBITDA of RM84 million and RM65 million in NOP, resulting in PAT of over RM54 million and reinforcing AirAsia MOVE’s return to sustained profitability. CEO of AirAsia MOVE Nadia Zahir Omer on the business outlook: “This year, we will double down on content to drive user acquisition and conversion. By leveraging user-generated content and deeper community engagement, we aim to attract higher-intent users while optimising marketing spend. This will be enabled by continued investment in technology, including the development of our virtual concierge, to enhance the booking experience, thereby improving retention and lifting NPS. At the same time, we will pursue greater Stays growth by leveraging our flight-anchored flywheel, deepening hotel partnerships and launching more personalised bundles to increase attach rates and customer lifetime value.” Teleport Teleport closed 2025 strong with record operational performance in 4Q2025. The company moved its highest volume of 102,688 tonnes (+19% YoY) and 63 million parcels (+165% YoY) with a new daily peak record of 974,000 parcels. This drove revenue growth to RM367 mil in Q4 2025 +10% YoY despite a 4% decline in Asia-Pacific market yield. Profitability momentum continued in 4Q2025, with Teleport recording a NOP of RM5.2 million (+RM7.5 mil YoY). For FY2025, Teleport achieved its highest-ever total volume of 347,885 tonnes (+18% YoY) and 167 million total parcels moved (+99% YoY), driving total revenue to RM1.2 billion (+11% YoY). This growth validates Teleport’s unique asset-light model of combining passenger and freighter capacity of third-party airlines, AirAsia belly space and Teleport freighters to meet growing market demands for eCommerce. Furthermore, this strong finish contributed to a full-year NOP of RM18.6 million, a RM40 million turnaround from a RM21 million net loss in FY2024. Teleport’s return to profitability at all levels was driven by strict cost and margin discipline, as well as a reduction in finance costs following the successful refinancing of the Deutsche Bank loan in 3Q2025. CEO of Teleport Pete Chareonwongsak on the business outlook: “Returning to profitability in 2025 is a testament to our team’s discipline, the trust our partners place

Vemagal, Karnataka, 17 February, 2026: The Tata Advanced Systems Final Assembly Line of the Airbus H-125 Light Utility Helicopter, located at Vemagal, Karnataka was virtually inaugurated by the Indian PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. from Mumbai. The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, Civil Aviation Minister KR Naidu and Minister for Large & Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka Dr MB Patil were present at the Final Assembly Line facility during the virtual inauguration. The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters as a milestone in the strategic partnership between India and France. “Our collaboration with France is limitless, where even sky is not a limit to our mutually beneficial partnership,” he said, congratulating TASL and Airbus Helicopters for the H-125 initiative which follows their earlier collaboration to manufacture C-295 transport aircraft in India. He termed the project as a symbol of how India can collaborate with international Original Equipment Manufacturers to contribute to the Make-in-India vision. Rajnath Singh pointed out that the H-125 program investment is anticipated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore and is likely to create direct & indirect employment opportunities for skilled and hardworking youth. He dubbed the H-125 helicopters as a platform renowned for its exceptional reliability, versatility, and outstanding performance in diverse operating conditions. “The H-125 has proven to be one of the most effective and trusted single-engine helicopters globally,” he said. The H125M is optimised to serve as a high-altitude force multiplier across a spectrum of critical missions. This versatile platform is designed to excel in tactical reconnaissance and surveillance by leveraging its low acoustic and thermal signatures. Additionally, the H125M provides a decisive edge in high-altitude logistics, ensuring the delivery of vital supplies to remote frontline outposts, and serves as a rapid-response asset for search and rescue or medical evacuation operations. We are proud to establish the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line, a first in the private sector in India – a landmark step in the nation’s journey towards self-reliance in aerospace and defence. This facility reflects the growing depth of India’s industrial capabilities and the strength of our long-standing partnership with Airbus. Together, we are contributing to the creation of a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India,” said N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons. This is the second major Tata and Airbus industrial collaboration, following the C295 military transport Final Assembly Line, cementing a comprehensive military aerospace ecosystem in India. Together, these programmes underscore Airbus’ long-term commitment to building a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem in India across manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, design, digital capabilities and human capital development. Airbus currently sources components and services worth over $1.5 billion annually from India, including complex aerostructures and systems, reinforcing the country’s growing role in Airbus’ global supply chain. (Courtesy: PIB/MoD)