Noida International Airport and Akasa Air have entered a strategic partnership to establish Akasa Air's first maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the upcoming airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. The agreement provides for Akasa Air to operate a state-of-the-art MRO facility within airport premises. The facility will be positioned to support the airline's fleet requirements and to offer services to third parties. The MRO facility will provide a range of aircraft maintenance activities designed to ensure operational efficiency and safety, including line and base maintenance capabilities and scheduled checks. The installation is intended to reduce reliance on overseas repair networks and to improve turnaround times for aircraft servicing. It will also support fleet reliability as Akasa expands operations. Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport, described the investment as a strong endorsement of the airport vision to build a world-class aviation hub for India and said the partnership will enhance the nation's MRO capabilities and create opportunities for skill development and employment in the region. Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Akasa Air, framed the move as part of a disciplined growth strategy to develop domestic MRO capacity and strengthen the airline's operational backbone. He said the investment is intended to contribute to a more self-reliant aviation ecosystem in India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation recently granted the aerodrome licence for Noida International Airport, clearing the way for domestic passenger and cargo flight operations to begin within the next 45 days as mandated under the airport project plan. The airport is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, under a public private partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government and the Union government. The facility includes one runway and one passenger terminal with a capacity to serve 12 million (12 mn) passengers annually, and the masterplan allows for further development to serve over 70 million (70 mn) passengers during the concession period.