NASHIK- Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in Nashik, overhauled two more civilian aircraft at its new MRO facility. It has recently launched its maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for civilian aircraft, expanding its operational scope beyond military aviation.
In March 2025, the facility marked a significant milestone by completing its first civilian aircraft overhaul—an A320neo from IndiGo’s fleet—and returning the aircraft to service within the same month.
Photo- AirbusHAL Nashik MRO Facility
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), traditionally focused on defence aircraft, launched civilian maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services at its Nashik facility in March 2025.
The facility completed its first civilian overhaul—an A320neo for IndiGo (6E)—in March, followed by two Embraer aircraft, an E-175 (75-seater) and an E-145 (50-seater), for a private airline. The E-175 was delivered in late April 2025, and the E-145 in early May.
Embraer E175; Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalPartnership With Airbus
Partnering with Airbus in November 2023, HAL established a DGCA- and EASA-compliant ‘C’-Check facility for A320 aircraft. Airbus provided consultancy, tools, and technical documentation, with French representatives conducting site visits to enhance capabilities.
The partnership included skill workshops for HAL staff, ensuring compliance with global standards. HAL plans to overhaul 12 A320s annually, scaling to 20 aircraft in phases.
Airbus’s recommendations led to facility upgrades, including advanced diagnostic tools and streamlined workflows. The ‘C’-Check process, involving comprehensive inspections and repairs, ensures aircraft safety and efficiency, reducing downtime for operators.
Self-Reliance
This partnership aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in aviation maintenance, reducing reliance on foreign MROs in Singapore or Dubai.
By leveraging Nashik’s proximity to major airports like Mumbai (BOM), HAL positions itself as a cost-effective alternative, with turnaround times 20% faster than overseas facilities, according to industry sources. The collaboration also enhances HAL’s global credibility, attracting potential clients beyond IndiGo (6E).
Indigo Airlines started its New Maintenance hangar facility at Bengaluru International Airport | Image credits to its creatorEconomic Impact
The Nashik MRO’s expansion creates significant economic benefits, as noted by Manish Rawal, vice-president of Nashik Industries and Manufacturers’ Association (NIMA).
The facility generates jobs, employing 150 additional technicians since March 2025, and boosts opportunities for local vendors supplying spare parts, previously focused on defence.
Rawal estimates a ₹50 crore annual economic uplift for Nashik, supporting small businesses near Nashik Airport (ISK).
The facility’s growth attracts ancillary industries, such as component manufacturing, enhancing Nashik’s role in India’s aerospace sector. This aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative, promoting local innovation and economic resilience.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalFuture Growth
HAL’s Nashik facility aims to scale its MRO capacity to 20 A320s annually by 2027, potentially expanding to other aircraft types like the Boeing 737, used by SpiceJet (SG) at Mumbai (BOM).
The success of the Embraer E-175 and E-145 overhauls opens opportunities for regional carriers, addressing India’s growing demand for efficient maintenance. The facility’s compliance with EASA standards could attract international airlines operating through Delhi (DEL) or Bengaluru (BLR).
The expansion reduces India’s $2 billion annual MRO outsourcing costs, per IATA estimates, strengthening domestic capabilities. HAL’s Nashik operations may inspire similar facilities in other cities, supporting airlines like Air India (AI) and fostering competition with global MRO hubs. This shift enhances India’s aviation infrastructure, ensuring safer, more reliable aircraft operations nationwide.
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Airbus A320 Getting Overhauled at HAL’s Nashik Facility
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