VOIWORLD/Sumit Chaturvedi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility in Hyderabad, describing it as a major milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global aviation hub. The new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre, set up by French aerospace major Safran, is one of the largest such investments by an international aviation company in the country.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said the facility reflects growing global confidence in India’s technological capabilities and its potential to emerge as a major player in the aviation industry. He added that large-scale infrastructure investments in the sector were creating high-skilled jobs and driving innovation.
Spread across a sprawling campus in Hyderabad’s aerospace cluster, the SAESI facility will handle maintenance, repair and overhaul for CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines, which power next-generation Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Indian carriers operate one of the world’s largest fleets of LEAP-powered aircraft, making the facility strategically critical for domestic airline operations.
Safran officials said the centre has been designed to service up to several hundred engines annually once fully operational, significantly reducing dependence on foreign MRO hubs. Currently, most Indian airlines send their engines abroad for maintenance, incurring high costs and longer turnaround times. The Hyderabad facility is expected to change that by offering quicker and cost-effective servicing within the country.
The facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic and repair technologies, clean rooms, and specialised engine testing areas. Safran has also committed to setting up dedicated training programmes to develop a highly skilled local workforce capable of supporting complex engine overhaul operations.
The investment aligns closely with the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, which aim to expand the country’s domestic manufacturing and service capabilities. The aerospace industry has been identified as a priority sector, with India projected to become one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets over the next decade.
Industry experts believe the SAESI centre will have a multiplier effect on the aviation ecosystem by attracting more global aerospace companies, strengthening supply chains, and supporting the needs of India’s rapidly expanding civil aviation sector.
Safran, which already operates multiple facilities in India, including manufacturing units for components and wiring systems, said its latest investment underscores its long-term commitment to the country. Executives added that the company views India not just as a market, but as a critical partner in its global supply chain strategy.
The new Hyderabad facility is expected to begin full-scale operations soon, with initial engine servicing capacity ramping up progressively over the next two years.
