Boeing plans repair base in Nagpur

Boeing has given an "in-principle" approval to a proposed state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul base in Nagpur.

The decision to locate the base here was "almost final" and work was now on in designing a blue-print for the greenfield project. This would be Boeing's second base out of America, Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president (international sales) of Boeing, said at an event by national carrier Indian annoucing the commencement of its Nagpur-Bangkok flight in Nagpur.

The project entails an initial investment of $100 million and subsequent investments include $75 million for a pilot training school and $10 million for ab-intio airline staff training school, taking the total to about $185 mn (Rs 833 crore).

Nagpur was chosen due to its geo-centric

location, dry climate, easy availability of trained manpower and the concessions committed to by the Maharashtra government, said Keskar.

India had acquired a large number of aircraft but the country lacked proper, integrated repair facilities. The company had been invited by the government to set up such facilities as India was a large purchaser of Boeing aircraft, Keskar said.

Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Boeing, is expected to visit Mumbai soon to discuss the project.

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