Last year, the global spending on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft was estimated at 90 billion dollars. By 2029, this is expected to rise to $125 billion given that main – tenance, repair and overhaul usually accounts for 8-10% of an airlines cost. The way Indian airlines fleet strength is growing annually, by the year 2030 we are likely to have the second-largest fleet of civilian aircraft after China. With this, the size ofMROof Indias domestic and imported aircraft is set to grow an – nually to Rs 25,000 crore in the next five years, and to Rs 36,000 crore once the fleet size reaches 2,000.
Odishahas all the capabilities, manpower and soft skills required to set up maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. While no Indian airport has the for setting up an MRO, the abandoned World War II airport at Amarda Road is best suited for setting up such a facility. The 900-acre airfield has one of the longest runways in the country with around 50km of taxiway, most of which are in good condition.