Cochin International Aviation
Services Ltd, a subsidiary
of Cochin International
Airport Ltd—the first
greenfield airport in the private
sector—is making progress in the
construction of a MRO (maintenance-
repair-overhaul) unit near
the airport at Nedumbassery in
Ernakulam district of Kerala. The
Rs 80-crore project is a part of
CIAL's plan to enter into aircraft
maintenance. It also envisages an
aviation training academy.
The MRO unit is coming up on
1.35-lakh sq. ft area on 32 acres of
land and will be operational by
this year-end. CIASL has spent
Rs 35 crore on the project so far.
CIASL is seeking partnerships
for technical collaboration, longterm
contracts, and spares support
to operate the MRO with a
49 per cent share of the business.
The project is being implemented
in two phases:
- Phase-I envisages construction
of two narrow-body hangars
(for B737 & A320 aircraft),
workshops, training academy,
line maintenance run-up bay
and aircraft parking.
- Phase-II includes two widebody
hangars, additional two
narrow-body hangars, more
workshops, expansion of aviation
academy, parking bays and
FBO (fixed base operation).
The components unit encompasses
wheels and brakes, electricals
and avionics, hydraulics,
safety equipment, cabin interiors,
and engine storage and support,
along with scope for expansion.
CIASL has entrusted the work of
planning, design and implementation
of the MRO facility, including
aircraft maintenance hangar,
apron and taxiway, and the aviation
training facility to KITCO Ltd
(formerly Kerala Industrial and
Technical Consultancy Organisation
Ltd). The value of this contract
is nearly Rs 64 lakh.
The company has also architectural,
structural and utility
consultants.