Air India Group to Set Up Aircraft Maintenance Training Institute in Bengalaru

Air India, India’s leading global airline group, is setting up a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO), which will offer an integrated 2+2 years Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The Air India BMTO is a step towards building a robust, future-ready aviation ecosystem in India. It will serve the ambitions of the airline as it moves ahead in its transformation journey, strengthening the availability of aircraft maintenance engineers as Air India expands its fleet, making it self-reliant.

Air India has signed an agreement with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), to develop a built-to-suit facility for the AME program that will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories for practical training and a team of qualified trainers. The purpose-built campus, spread over 86,000 square feet in Bengaluru Airport City, is expected to be operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be housed close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru that will be operational in early 2026. The program at the BMTO will include two years of in-classroom academic coursework followed by two years of practical on-job training at the MRO.

The aim of the BMTO is to foster a workforce of skilled professionals for aircraft maintenance and engineering operations where students will receive hands-on experience and training, adhering to industry standards and Air India’s specific requirements.

Till the new BMTO facility commences operations, Air India will implement a Cadet AME program with other reputable institutions across Bengaluru and Hyderabad to ensure continuity in its commitment towards AME education and workforce development as well as to support its requirements for aircraft maintenance engineers.

“The Basic Maintenance Training Organization will establish a pipeline of skilled engineers trained to Air India standards from the outset. This facility and program, combined with proximity to Kempegowda International Airport, will enable our AME cadets to gain hands-on, real-world experience as part of their training, supporting their future as industry-ready professionals aligned with Air India’s ongoing fleet expansion needs,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

The program is designed to meet Air India’s growing fleet maintenance requirements and provides specialised career paths for its AME graduates. Students will also be encouraged to pursue a simultaneous bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, which will enhance their academic and career opportunities.

BACL is developing the Airport City at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) as a world-class mixed-use destination. It will feature Business Parks, Global Capability Centres, R&D Hubs, an Education & Health District, Hospitality options, a Central Park, Retail Dining & Entertainment, a multipurpose Concert Arena, and a Convention & Exhibition Centre. Once fully developed, the Airport City will encompass 28 million sq ft of Business Parks and provide 5,200 hotel rooms, establishing itself as an international gateway to a sustainable, smart, and vibrant city that celebrates innovation.

“Air India’s commitment to establishing a state-of-the-art training facility symbolises a bold step forward in enhancing India’s aviation capabilities. Education and skill development are vital to sustaining the growth of BLR Airport. Our 3D technology facility and central kitchen already emphasise skill development, while the proposed Education & Health District will host academic institutes focusing on Aviation, Hospitality, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Management. The Air India BMTO reinforces our vision of developing a thriving ecosystem that drives innovation and collaboration,” said Rao Munukutla, Executive Director & CEO, BACL.

Air India has embarked on a five-year transformation journey, Vihaan.AI, that has seen commitment to more than 500 new aircraft, delivery of which is well underway, and the commencement of a USD 400 million interior retrofit program for legacy aircraft. Air India has also begun in-housing of line maintenance operations across group airlines that will strengthen its self-reliance. In September 2024, Air India Group announced the commencement of construction of a mega MRO facility coming up in Bengaluru, reiterating its commitment to building a strong self-reliant aviation ecosystem for India.