The Adani Group is preparing to enter aircraft engine maintenance and passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, expanding its aviation services footprint beyond airports, pilot training and defence-linked operations.
The conglomerate has reorganised its aviation interests into two verticals—airport infrastructure and aircraft services—covering both civilian and defence use, Jeet Adani, Director at Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), told PTI.
“We have separated the two (aviation). One is the airport infrastructure and the other one is the aircraft services business. So that can include dual use, defence and civilian use. Between Indamer and Air Works (MROs), we are now combining the platform into a single giant MRO company,” he said.
MRO expansion and new capabilities
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) is emerging as a key growth area for the group, with plans to broaden capabilities across multiple aircraft segments.
“Now we are expanding that as well to increase our capabilities on landing gear, paint, P2F (passenger-to-freighter) conversions, and hopefully at some point, engines,” Adani said.
The group entered the MRO space in December with the acquisition of Air Works for an enterprise value of ₹400 crore. It subsequently strengthened its presence through Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Ltd, which agreed to acquire Indamer Technics Pvt Ltd, expanding its reach across civilian and defence maintenance.
Geographically, Adani plans to add new MRO bases in Ahmedabad, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. “We are also expanding our bases… we will see some expansion,” Adani said.
Pilot training scale-up
Adani is also scaling up its pilot training business after acquiring a 72.8 per cent stake in Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC) for ₹820 crore. The centre currently operates 15 simulators.
“Because FSTC right now is running with 15 simulators, I personally believe that India has the ability to absorb 40–50 simulators if we are able to execute,” he said. “The clear vision is in the next two to three years how do we get this business up to 45–50 simulators all across the country.”
Indian airlines are expected to induct about 1,700 aircraft in the coming years, creating demand for around 30,000 additional pilots, Union civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said last week.
On capital allocation, Adani said it was too early to quantify investments in MRO and training, noting that a long-term strategy is still being finalised.
The group has announced plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore in its airports business over the next five years and expects the domestic aviation market—across airports and airlines—to grow by 10–15 per cent over the next decade to 15 years.
