Bhubaneswar to Get New MRO Unit at Biju Patnaik International Airport to Boost Aviation Infrastructure.

The Odisha government will establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, aiming to boost regional aviation infrastructure and reduce dependency on other cities for aircraft servicing.

The upcoming MRO unit will be housed in a newly constructed 4,670 sq. metre hangar and will be capable of handling large aircraft such as the Airbus A321. The facility will be operated by a private entity, selected through a government tender process, and will be supervised by the state government.

Officials noted that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already approved the transfer of the hangar to the state government. The airport’s director, Prasanna Pradhan, said the move is expected to reduce operational delays, attract more airline operations to Bhubaneswar, and create employment opportunities in the aviation sector.

The MRO unit will support maintenance of large aircraft, smaller planes, helicopters, and choppers. The apron and taxiway in front of the hangar will also be utilised to facilitate aircraft movement into the facility. Rental and operational terms are being finalised.

With daily operations averaging 52 arrivals and departures, and a growing number of domestic destinations being added, the airport is targeting five million annual passenger footfall in 2025. In 2023–24, aircraft movements rose to 35,368 from 30,745 the previous year, reflecting steady growth.

The MRO is expected to play a vital role in addressing in-region technical issues and further positioning Bhubaneswar as a key aviation hub in eastern India.

ET