BENGALURU- IndiGo (6E) has entered a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to construct a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). This agreement encompasses 31 acres of land which will cater to the increasing fleet requirements and infrastructure needs of the airline.
In conjunction with this development, IndiGo has appointed Ton Dortmans, a seasoned professional from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (FR), to spearhead the airline’s wide-body MRO strategies, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Airbus A350 entry into service.
IndiGo’s partnership with BIAL signifies a pivotal moment in advancing long-term aviation infrastructure within the South Indian region.
The 31-acre MRO facility at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) will be outfitted to perform maintenance on both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
This expansion is part of IndiGo’s comprehensive strategy to localize essential operations and enhance efficiency throughout its rapidly expanding network.
Dortmans will report directly to Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras and collaborate with Senior Vice President of Engineering, Parichay Dutta.
His hiring further strengthens IndiGo’s strategic initiative “Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers,” which introduces the wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft beginning in 2027.
These aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce engines, will mark IndiGo’s entry into the wide-body aircraft sector.
IndiGo aspires to establish substantial in-house MRO capabilities within India, as the airline currently operates over 400 aircraft with an additional 900 on order.
In 2023, IndiGo inaugurated its second hangar in Bengaluru and has also opened an office in Amsterdam to support its expansion in Europe, with flights to Manchester and Amsterdam set to commence in July 2025.
CEO Pieter Elbers praised Dortmans for his extensive experience in MRO and wide-body operations, emphasizing the potential to develop in-house MRO capabilities in India utilizing local talent and following IndiGo’s operational scale.
Global Expansion Initiatives
Dortmans will work closely under COO Isidro Porqueras and collaborate with Parichay Dutta, the Senior Vice President of Engineering.
Furthermore, IndiGo has set up a base in Amsterdam to bolster its international growth.
The airline is set to launch direct flights to Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN) starting July 2025.
CEO Pieter Elbers pointed out that Dortmans’ vast experience in wide-body MRO operations will be a crucial asset for the airline’s future growth trajectory.
Elbers stressed the need to expand MRO capacity in India while employing local expertise.
In another recent leadership transition, IndiGo has appointed Vikram Singh Mehta as the new chairman of the board, succeeding Venkataramani Sumantran, who completed his tenure, guiding the airline through a significant post-pandemic resurgence.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/05/30/indigo-to-build-new-mro-at-bengaluru-airport-ahead-of-a350-entry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=indigo-to-build-new-mro-at-bengaluru-airport-ahead-of-a350-entry
