BENGALURU- IndiGo (6E) has established a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to create a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). This agreement designates 31 acres of land to accommodate the expanding needs of the airline’s fleet and infrastructure.
Moreover, IndiGo has appointed Ton Dortmans, an accomplished professional from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (FR), to spearhead the airline’s wide-body MRO projects, specifically in anticipation of the Airbus A350’s introduction into the fleet.
IndiGo’s partnership with BIAL represents a pivotal development in enhancing the long-term aviation infrastructure within South India.
The new 31-acre MRO facility at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) will be outfitted to service both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, marking a significant expansion in IndiGo’s operational capabilities.
This initiative aligns with IndiGo’s broader strategy to localize key operational functions and increase efficiency throughout its rapidly growing network.
Dortmans will report directly to COO Isidro Porqueras and collaborate with Parichay Dutta, Senior Vice President of Engineering.
His inclusion supports IndiGo’s strategic endeavor, “Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers,” which encompasses the rollout of wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft set to enter service in 2027.
The addition of these aircraft, which will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines, signifies IndiGo’s entrance into the competitive wide-body segment.
IndiGo is committed to fostering comprehensive in-house MRO capabilities in India, currently operating over 400 aircraft with an extensive order of more than 900 additional planes.
The airline also inaugurated its second hangar in Bengaluru in 2023 and has established an office in Amsterdam to support its European aspirations, launching flights to Manchester and Amsterdam starting in July 2025.
CEO Pieter Elbers praised Dortmans for his extensive MRO background and specialized wide-body expertise. Elbers discussed the immense potential for developing in-house MRO capabilities in India by leveraging local talent, in conjunction with IndiGo’s operational scale.
Expanding Global Reach
In his role, Dortmans will be closely collaborating with COO Isidro Porqueras and Parichay Dutta, SVP of Engineering.
Additionally, IndiGo has taken significant steps to reinforce its European base in Amsterdam to facilitate its global expansion strategy.
The airline will initiate direct flights to Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN), starting from July 2025.
Elbers noted that Dortmans’ experience in wide-body MRO operations is an essential asset to the airline’s future growth trajectory.
He underscored the vital need to build MRO capacity within India by utilizing local talent.
In another development, IndiGo has appointed Vikram Singh Mehta as the new chairman of the board, succeeding Venkataramani Sumantran, who finished his term after successfully guiding the airline’s strong recovery post-pandemic.
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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
