AF/KLM Division Moves On India MRO, Eyes China
News AWIN First Nov 16 , 2010 Neelam Mathews MUMBAI Air France Industries , KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFI/KLM) and Mumbai-based Max MRO have gained a first-mover advantage in India by becoming the first to announce a joint venture for a component repair facility. The two partners did not disclose the details of the joint venture announced Nov. 16 as modalities are still being worked out. The 10,000-sq.-meter facility is expected to be set up in the tax-free zone of Nagpur, where Boeing is setting up hangars for Air India and where Max owns land, or at another location. “We are trying to develop a global network as the customer wants proximity to suppliers. Our association will empower the JV for transfer of know-how ... it’s a long road and there is no question to limit it to Airbus A320s ,” said Franck Terner, president of Air France Industries in India. The components business at present is around $100 million, says Terner. “This figure, I believe ...