Air Works is the oldest Indian independent Aircraft maintenance company which provides services for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO).[2][3][4]

Air Works
Company typePrivate Limited
IndustryAviation
FoundersB.G. Menon and D. Anandaram
Headquarters,
Key people
  • Anand Bhaskar (MD & CEO)
[1]
Services
Websiteairworks.aero

Currently the company is responsible for heavy maintenance of Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft.[5]

History and operation

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Air Works was started in 1951 by B.G. Menon and D. Anandaram. Commercial Aviation MRO (MRO for airlines/commercial jets/cargo operators) began in 1993 with Jet Airways for 2–3 years, and then in Hosur (Tamil Nadu) when Air Works built its own hangar for repair.[6]

Air Works, together with its sister/group companies Acumen Aviation and SA Air Works, is India's sole MRO that serves all three client sectors. General Aviation, Commercial Aviation and Defence MRO.[7][8]

In 2008, Air Works became the first MRO company in India to receive regulatory approval from the DGCA.[9] The first MRO center opened in Bangalore, Karnataka.[10]

Scandinavian Avionics, a Denmark-based Aerospace company partnered with Air Works in 2010.[11]

In 2011, Air Works began maintenance, checks and services for BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) for Defense MRO (aviation assets owned or operated by Indian Armed ForcesIndian Air Force & Navy).[12][13][14]

Air Works acquired Dubai based Empire Aviation Group FZCO in 2012.[15]

British company Air Livery Limited was acquired by Air Works in 2013 with 85% stake.[16] The company was expanded in 20 cities of India until 2013.[17]

In 2014, the company partnered with Yaksa Investment Nepal to provide MRO services for international and domestic airlines operating out of Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.[18]

Air Works has partnerred with the UAE-based Mach Technik Aircraft Maintenance to provide international line maintenance services to Dubai.[19][20]

In February 2020, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh and Haseeb Drabu, Indian politician and economist were appointed as company's board of directors.[21] In May 2021, the company partnered with Objectify.[22]

Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer partnered with Air Works in February 2021.[23][24][25]

The European Aviation Safety Agency has approved Air Works Kochi facility to undertake maintenance for Airbus 320 jets in September 2022.[26] In October 2022, Air Works was acquired by Adani Group.[27][28]

In 2023, the company started maintenance for Boeing P-8 Poseidon with its expansion in Australia and New Zealand.[29][30]

Awards

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  • 2023 ASSOCHAM's Best MRO award for India's Air Works at 14th International Conference[31]
  • Aviation Week MRO of the Year Awards 2011[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Import duty relaxation on components needed to make aircraft redelivery checks competitive in India: Air Works Group MD & CEO Anand Bhaskar - ET Infra". ETInfra.com.
  2. ^ "Adani Defence acquires India's largest MRO company Air Works". The New Indian Express. 18 October 2022.
  3. ^ Chua, Alfred. "Indian MRO firm Air Works eyes new vistas in engines, components". Flight Global.
  4. ^ "MRO growth to help create jobs: skill council". The Hindu. 8 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Boeing, Air Works work on maintenance of P-8I warfare aircraft". The Economic Times. 5 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Air Works Group: A Legacy in Aviation Services". Bru Times News.
  7. ^ "Boeing and Air Works accelerate MRO capabilities for IN P-8I's". Vayu Aerospace. 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Airlines and Cargo Operators". Air Works.
  9. ^ "India's first aircraft maintenance facility gets approval". The Economic Times. 10 November 2008.
  10. ^ "Air Works to open first MRO near Bangalore". Business-standard.
  11. ^ "Air Works in JV with Scandinavian Avionics of Denmark". The Economic Times. 30 August 2010.
  12. ^ "India's Air Works eyes capturing MRO opportunities for Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet of Australia, New Zealand - ET Infra". ETInfra.com.
  13. ^ Staff, APDR (9 August 2022). "India's Air Works hands over last P-8 after MRO work". APDR.
  14. ^ Singh, Suchet Vir (5 May 2022). "Boost for India's plan to be aircraft maintenance hub as Navy planes get heavy work done in TN". ThePrint.
  15. ^ "Air Works Makes a Strategic Investment in Dubai Based Empire Aviation Group". Aviation Pros. 18 June 2012.
  16. ^ "Air Works acquires 85% in British firm". business-standard. 18 February 2010.
  17. ^ Goyal, Malini (28 July 2013). "Sunday ET: Air Works: India's largest MRO offering services in 20 cities". The Economic Times.
  18. ^ "Air Works inks tie-up with Nepal company". The Economic Times. 26 November 2014.
  19. ^ "Air Works Expands Line Maintenance Network to Dubai". Aviation Pros. 26 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Air Works expands line maintenance network to Dubai as it enters into partnership with Mach Technik". Thehindubusinessline. 26 May 2022.
  21. ^ Kundu, Rhik (31 August 2020). "Air Works appoint Haseeb A. Drabu as independent director". mint.
  22. ^ Mishra, Mihir (26 May 2021). "Air Works readies plan to cash in on MRO boom in India;brings 3D printing for aviation, defence". The Economic Times.
  23. ^ "India's Air Works eyes capturing MRO opportunities for Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet of Australia, New Zealand - ET Infra". ETInfra.com.
  24. ^ "Boeing enters strategic collaboration with leading aviation firm Air Works". Business-standard. 4 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Boeing, India's Air Works sign deal for MRO on defence platforms". APDR. 6 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Air Works' facility gets European regulator's approval to provide maintenance for Airbus 320 planes". Business Today. 13 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Adani Group to acquire MRO Air Works". The Indian Express. 19 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Adani Defence Systems & Tech to acquire aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company Air Works". The Economic Times. 18 October 2022.
  29. ^ "Why did Boeing choose Airworks MRO facilities for the P-8I Fleet at this location?". jetlinemarvel.net. 10 May 2022.
  30. ^ Majumder, Arindam; Bhalla, Mohit (24 April 2023). "Adani's acquisition of Air Works delayed". The Economic Times.
  31. ^ "Best MRO award for India's Air Works | Times Aerospace". Timesaerospace.aero.
  32. ^ "Air Works receives the prestigious Aviation Week 'Leading Independent MRO of the Year 2011' award". afaqs!. 13 April 2011.