This decision follows the revocation of security clearance for Turkish ground services provider Çelebi by India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on May 15
Air India has announced plans to reduce its reliance on Turkish Technic for the maintenance of its wide-body aircraft, citing recent geopolitical developments involving Turkey’s support for Pakistan. The move comes as part of a broader strategy to recalibrate maintenance operations in response to national security concerns.
The airline’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated that while Turkish Technic currently handles heavy maintenance for some of Air India’s Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, the company is exploring alternative Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Wilson emphasized the need to adjust plans in light of changing circumstances and national sentiment.
This decision follows the revocation of security clearance for Turkish ground services provider Çelebi by India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on May 15, citing national security interests. Additionally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a final three-month extension to IndiGo for its damp lease agreement with Turkish Airlines, directing the airline to terminate the lease by August 31.
Air India’s fleet comprises 191 aircraft, including 64 wide-body planes. While the airline seeks to diversify its MRO partnerships, Wilson acknowledged that building domestic capacity for heavy maintenance will take time. In the interim, some aircraft may continue to be serviced by Turkish Technic until alternative arrangements are fully established.([The New Indian Express][2])
The shift reflects a growing trend among Indian aviation companies to reassess international collaborations in light of geopolitical considerations, aiming to align operational decisions with national interests.
