Boeing may set up Nagpur hub

Maharashtra govt offers land for Boeing at Nagpur to set up an MRO hub

BY A CORRESPONDENT
13th January 2006

The Maharashtra government has offered land for Boeing to set up its maintenance and repair facility to be set up in India at a cost of $75 million. The offer was reportedly made at a recent ceremony when Air India signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 68 aircraft.

Maharashtra has been promoting the idea of MRO hubs (maintenace, repair and overhaul) for aircraft in the state. The state had already made offers to Airbus and Boeing.

Boeing has not taken a final decision, but it seems highly likely that Nagpur will be preferred spot for the MRO hubs. Boeing said that the Maharsahtra government order will be given highest priority. Several state governments have been inviting airlines and aircraft makers to set up MRO hubs in their states.

During his last visit to the Boeing office, the Maharashtra chief minister had invited Boeing to set up an MRO hub in the state.

As of now, most of the big commercial jets in India go abroad for MRO work.

Nagpur is key to the Indian government's future airport plans. There is an international airport and cargi hub planned in Nagpur. There are plans to set up an aviation academy and a special economic zone there. Also, its strategic location will be beneficials to the airlines flying there.