AIESL inks training pact with Boeing, will have 140 MAX trained engineers – ET Infra

NEW DELHI: As Indian airlines such as Akasa Air and Air India Express gradually induct the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in their fleet, country’s largest aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company, Air India Engineering Services Ltd or AIESL, is increasing its workforce of engineers who will be qualified for undertaking the maintenance of the narrow-body aircraft.“Already trained 90 engineers on B737 MAX and are in the process of training additional 50 engineers shortly,” according to a presentation by the state-owned MRO company shown at the Aerospace and Defence MRO South Asia Summit 2024, held in New Delhi.

AIESL has base maintenance capability across India at Delhi, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Kolkata Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram.

“…we heard, maybe in this year in Diwali itself there will be more than 60 MAX flying in India. So we will have to be future ready,” said a senior official from AIESL, while giving the presentation.

The official outlined that the MRO company will be able to cater to base maintenance of Boeing 737 MAX for the next six years. The presentation stated that AIESL is in the process of getting approvals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for undertaking base maintenance on Airbus and Boeing fleets at Nagpur and Thiruvananthapuram.

In pursuant of the same, on Tuesday, AIESL formally entered into an agreement with Boeing to collaborate on ‘cutting-edge’ aircraft maintenance training in India and has acquired the required training certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for the same.

As per the agreement, Boeing will provide expertise, materials, and instructor support to AIESL engineers.

Akasa Air has placed an order for 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft of which 23 aircraft have already joined the fleet, while Air India Group’s order book for the aircraft stands at 190.