Indian, CFM sign MRO joint venture agreement

New Delhi, Feb 15: Indian (Airlines) and CFM International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) proposing to establish a joint venture maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India for CFM56 engines.

The MoU defines the principles of a joint venture that will combine Indian's experience in engine overhaul with that of CFM and its parent companies to create a world-class maintenance and overhaul facility.

The MRO shop will perform the full spectrum of services, from engine disassembly to piece parts and in-house component repairs for CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines.

''This is a landmark agreement that will benefit not just our fleet but the entire aviation industry in India,'' Indian's chairman and managing director Vishwapati Trivedi. ''For the airline, it will mean significant savings, better engine turnaround time, and increased engine availability for operations.'' Added CFM's president and chief executive officer Eric Bachelet: ''We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the booming Indian aviation industry and to developing a long and fruitful relationship.'' Government-owned Indian has ordered 43 CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320 family aircraft and currently operates six A319s with the CFM56-5B engine.

CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines and there are more than 16,500 CFM56 engines in service with over 460 operators around the world. CFM International is a 50:50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN group) and General Electric Company.

UNI