Air India has taken the first step towards constructing its maintenance, repair and overhaul and engineering facilities in Hyderabad. Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav today laid the foundation stone for the facility at Shamshabad Airport in Hyderabad.

As part of its development plans for MRO, Air India has acquired five acres of land at Shamshabad Airport. The facilities at the new airport will consist of a hangar, where major maintenance of aircraft will be carried out, and an annexe building to accommodate component overhaul shops and various engineering offices.

The hangar will be capable of accommodating two A320 family aircraft simultaneously or one B777/B747 aircraft. The facility will cost Air India Rs 80 crore (Rs 800 million).

Air India already has major engineering units in Mumbai and Delhi for maintenance of aircraft and engines.