France-based Safran Group is considering a $150-million investment in a new aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit in India to cater for its airline customers, according to the company.
Safran and GE Aviation own a 50 per cent stake each in the US-based CFM International, which manufactures engines for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 types of aircraft. Currently, around 220 Airbus and Boeing planes in India are fitted with CFM engines. Additionally, there are 485 planes on order from IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara, which will be equipped with these engines and are expected to be delivered over the next five years.
CFM International, which competes with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, won a $20-billion order from IndiGo to supply engines for 280 Airbus A320neo in June. Plans to set up an MRO unit in India are being evaluated following the big order win.
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To a query from Business Standard about its plans, Safran said, “As a long-standing partner of the Indian aerospace industry, Safran is committed to supporting growth in the Indian market.”
Source: Business Standard
