Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility in Hyderabad. The launch took place via video conference, connecting him to the site within the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park – SEZ at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. SAESI is Safran’s dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, which power Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets. It is among the world’s largest aircraft engine MRO centres and marks the first time a global engine OEM has established such a facility in India. Built over 45,000 square metres, the MRO facility has been developed with an initial investment of about Rs 13 billion. By 2035, it is expected to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually. The company plans to employ more than 1,000 skilled Indian engineers and technicians, supported by advanced systems and tooling for high-precision maintenance. Officials said the facility is a major step towards aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the aviation sector. Strengthening domestic MRO capacity will help India conserve foreign exchange, create high-value employment and build a robust aviation supply chain. It also aligns with the country’s ambition to become a global aviation services hub. The government has been working to bolster India’s MRO ecosystem in line with the rapid growth of the aviation market. Recent policy reforms – including GST changes in 2024, the MRO Guidelines 2021 and the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 – have simplified procedures, rationalised taxes and reduced royalty charges for MRO providers.