Hyderabad|India|February'2009: GMR Hyderabad
International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL), and MAS Aerospace Engineering (MAE), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines sealed an agreement to set up
a 50:50 joint venture Airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
company in Hyderabad.
The JV company, known as MAS-GMR Aerospace Engineering Company Ltd., will
be built on the eastern side of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,
Hyderabad.
The agreement was signed by Mr.P.S.Nair, CEO of GHIAL and Mr.Mohd Roslan
Ismail, MD of MAE, in the presence of His Excellency Dato’ Tan Seng Sung,
Malaysia’s High Commissioner to India; Mr.G.M.Rao, Group Chairman, GMR,
Mr.N.Sadasivan, Deputy Chairman, Malaysia Airlines and Mr.Kiran Kumar
Grandhi, Business Chairman-Airports, GMR Group.
Mr. Rao said, "Despite the economic downturn, there are over 350 aircraft
in operations currently. We expect that more than 200 new aircraft will be
headed for India in the next few years, with a possible ten-fold increase
of 2,000 new planes in the next 10-15 years.
"All this makes us bullish for the future, and we are confident that the
strategic location of Hyderabad, just two hours away from all the major
Indian metros and less than four hours away from all the SAARC countries,
will ensure that our country’s forex reserves receive a big boost," he
added.
Malaysian Airlines, Deputy Chairman, Mr. Sadasivan said, "Our aim is to
position the JV company as a leading MRO player. Our facility, catering to
both narrow and wide bodied aircraft checks, will be up and running by the
third quarter of 2010. Built specially to service aircraft in the Indian
subcontinent, we have the capacity to service between 60-80 aircraft
annually. This will also give us a head start when the economy recovers,
and we will add new capacity as needed.
"I am delighted to say that many airlines have expressed interest in our
MRO services. Announcements will be made as and when the details are
finalized."
MD of MAE, Mr. Mohd Roslan Ismail added, “MAE has over 36 years of
experience in the MRO business. We are certified by 31 National Aviation
Authorities and have 80 customers including Lufthansa, Saudi Arabian
Airlines, Jet Airways, Qantas, Austrian Airlines, AWAS, RBS and GECAS, one
of the world’s largest fleet owners and lessors.
"As such, our customers in India will be in good hands. Our facility in
Hyderabad airport will provide base maintenance services starting with
C-checks for narrow bodied aircraft like Airbus A 320 and Boeing 737
including the B-737 Classic and B-737 next generation aircraft."
GHIAL CEO, Mr.P.S. Nair said, "Currently, Indian aircraft are sent
overseas for maintenance. With our strategic location in Hyderabad’s
Special Economic Zone, airlines will soon be able to enjoy substantial
savings. They will enjoy highly competitive fees and reduced downtime for
each aircraft. On an average, the downtime for an aircraft leaving Indian
shores for maintenance is between four to ten days."
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad is the first Public
Private Participation airport project in India. It has 250 acres of land
adjacent to the airfield, which has been designated as a Special Economic
Zone with attractive tax and other financial incentives. These 250 acres
have been earmarked specifically for Aerospace-MRO Activities.
Reachout's News Bureau
February' 2009
