India’s Air Works marks 73 years of MRO service

It was on this day in 1951, barely four years after India’s independence, that Air Works commenced its pioneering business under its co-founders, aircraft engineers BG Menon and PS Menon, at the Mumbai airport.

Over the past seven decades, the company has grown into a business with one of the widest portfolios of customers and certifications in the industry. It holds accreditation to maintain more than 50 types of aircraft across commercial, business, and defence fleets, together with multiple maintenance facilities and a pan-India support network of more than 50 locations in 27 cities.

The company marked the occasion with a multi-city event that connected its offices live for the first time. Celebrations included extensive leadership engagement and a rewards and recognition for key performers and contributors.

Commenting on the historic milestone, D Anand Bhaskar, group chief executive and managing director, described a feeling of “immense pride” to be leading such an organisation. He said: “Air Works is not only regarded as an MRO institution and a reputed industry benchmark, but it has also become a manifestation of Atmanirbhar Bharat all around us.

“Much as we are enjoying and celebrating this milestone, we have already begun looking ahead eagerly and excitedly, towards the coming years when we turn 75.

“I thank our customers who have given us their trust and opportunities to assure their flights as well as greet and congratulate all our employees for their hard work, steadfastness, and innovation that has kept our engineering flag flying high over decades.”

Among its milestones, Air Works Group was India’s first privately owned, independent MRO to create an EASA-certified maintenance facility for airlines in India at Hosur, Tamil Nadu, in 2008-9, after realising the need and advantages of having an indigenous facility.

Since then, the company has expanded its maintenance capacities significantly, inaugurating a second, state-of-the-art maintenance facility at the Cochin International Airport, for both business and commercial aircraft, designed to offer added flexibility to customers, together with another dedicated facility for maintenance of large business jets such as the Embraer ERJ-135.

The company has undertaken more than 500 C-checks to date, supported by in-house EASA and DGCA-certified shops to provide comprehensive structure and composite repairs, battery support, cabin interiors, component repairs, heat exchangers, painting, and more.