India’s aviation story just hit a new altitude. With Safran inaugurating the world’s largest aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad on November 26, 2025, the country has taken a decisive leap toward becoming a global aviation powerhouse. This is not only one of the largest global aircraft engine MRO facilities, but also the first time a global engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has set up an engine MRO operation in India – a historic breakthrough for the nation’s aerospace capabilities.
For decades, Indian airlines relied on overseas hubs in Singapore, Dubai, and Europe for heavy engine maintenance, leading to long queues, higher costs, and slow turnaround times. Safran’s move directly fills this gap.
The newly opened Safran engine MRO in Hyderabad marks a transformative milestone for India’s aviation ecosystem. Designed to service LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines that power most of India’s A320neo and 737 MAX fleets, the €200 million, 45,000-sq-meter facility gives Indian airlines direct access to world-class overhaul capability.
CFM – one of the world’s largest commercial engine manufacturers, counts India as its third-largest market, with 400+ LEAP-powered (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) aircraft and having 2,000 engines on order, local maintenance will sharply cut costs, and boost fleet reliability. With a capacity for 300 shop visits a year and 1,100 new skilled jobs, supported by a dedicated training centre, this facility accelerates India’s rise toward true aviation self-reliance and global leadership.
From a Strategic Standpoint –
This move aligns with Safran’s ambition to triple its India revenue to more than €3 billion by 2030 and deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-expanding markets. And for Indian carriers, this centre materially elevates the nation’s aviation ecosystem. The benefits are immediate and quantifiable – shorter turnaround cycles, improved fleet availability, reduced dependence on foreign MRO geographies, and better control over lifecycle costs.
As engine MRO roughly accounts for 30% of the global aircraft MRO market – which is a sizeable share of an airline’s operating budget, the move toward localized overhaul capacity provides a structural cost advantage. With India expected to operate over 2,500 commercial aircraft in the next decade, building domestic capability isn’t just an advantage, it’s a necessity.
The facility is also a major boost to India’s aerospace talent base. As operations expand, thousands of high-skill jobs in engineering, testing, digital diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing will emerge. This aligns seamlessly with the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, positioning the country firmly on the global aviation maintenance map.
Safran is also setting up a new M88 engine MRO facility for India’s Rafale fleet, right beside the LEAP centre in Hyderabad. This €40-million unit will support the Indian Air Force, add specialised jobs, and strengthen India’s military aviation ecosystem at exactly the right moment.
Earlier this year, Safran had already laid the groundwork for a deeper India presence with more than €30 million committed to two strategic projects in Bangalore:
• An engineering center in Bangalore specializing in avionics and actuators, now operational and growing to 250 employees.
• An electronics and actuation manufacturing facility in Bangalore with 400 employees, starting operations in 2026.
These investments - positioned in design, systems engineering, and advanced manufacturing—signal Safran’s intent to expand beyond MRO into high-value aerospace engineering and production capabilities within India.
The world’s biggest engine MRO opening on Indian soil is not merely an investment – it signals India’s shift from aviation consumer to aviation creator. With the government pushing ‘Design in India’ and Safran targeting 90% localisation of LEAP engine maintenance by 2030, India is set to reduce foreign dependence, cut turnaround times, lower airline costs, and ultimately deliver better value to passengers. The future of aviation is not just landing in India; it’s being built here.
TAGS: Composites
