**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 3140 in Lok Sabha regarding the expansion of domestic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) infrastructure. The Minister of Civil Aviation responded to questions regarding the country's dependence on foreign MRO facilities and the government's plans to minimize this dependency. The response details the measures taken to bolster the domestic MRO sector. The question was scheduled to be answered on December 18th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Dependence on Foreign MRO:**
* A significant portion of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) work for the Indian civil aviation sector is performed abroad.
* **Government Initiatives to Expand Domestic MRO:**
* The government is actively taking measures to reduce dependence on foreign MRO facilities.
* New MRO Guidelines were announced on September 1, 2021. These guidelines include abolishing royalties and promoting transparency in land allotments for MROs in AAI airports.
* The Visa Manual has been amended to facilitate Business Visas and Temporary Landing Permits (TLP) for foreign pilots and crew involved in MRO services.
* The IGST on imports of aircraft components and engine parts has been reduced to 5%.
* The export period for goods imported for repairs has been extended from six months to one year.
* The time limit for re-import of goods for repairs under warranty has been extended from three to five years.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Stakeholder:** Indian Civil Aviation Sector
* **Impact:** The measures aim to reduce reliance on foreign MROs, potentially leading to cost savings, faster turnaround times, and increased self-sufficiency for the Indian civil aviation sector.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new MRO Guidelines, visa provisions, tax reductions, and extended time limits.
* **Stakeholder:** MRO Service Providers in India
* **Impact:** These measures could create a more conducive environment for the growth and development of domestic MRO service providers, fostering business expansion and job creation.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of the new MRO Guidelines, simplified visa processes, and tax benefits to expand operations and attract foreign expertise.
* **Stakeholder:** Foreign Pilots and Crew
* **Impact:** The amended Visa Manual will provide suitable provisions for granting Business Visa and Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) which will make it easier for them to service India.
* **Action Required:** Follow the visa requirements to take advantage of the new Business Visa and Temporary Landing Permit (TLP).
Key Entities Referenced
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO): Central focus of the question and answer; refers to facilities and services for aircraft maintenance.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for civil aviation in India, the source of the answer provided.
MRO Guidelines: Announced on 1st September, 2021, aims to improve the aircraft MRO sector.
Visa Manual: Amended to include provisions for granting Business Visa and Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) for MRO services.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3140
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
EXPANSION OF DOMESTIC MRO INFRASTRUCTURE
3140. SHRI K E PRAKASH
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that our country continues to remain heavily dependent
on foreign Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities resulting in a significant
outflow of foreign exchange and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to expand domestic MRO infrastructure to minimise
this dependency; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the proposed timeline fixed for strengthening
ecosystem of the country in future?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c) As per industry estimates, majority of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
work of civil aviation sector in India is done abroad in centres certified by Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). In order to reduce the dependence on foreign MRO
facilities, the Government has proactively taken various measures to create a conducive
environment for the development of aircraft MRO sector in the country and this is a
continuous process. The steps include the new MRO Guidelines announced on 1st
September, 2021 which inter alia abolish royalties and build in transparency and certainty in
land allotments for MROs in AAI airports. More recently, the Visa Manual has been
amended to incorporate suitable provisions for granting Business Visa and Temporary
Landing Permit (TLP) to foreign pilots and crew of scheduled or non-scheduled flights
coming for the purpose of MRO services. Government has also reduced the taxes (IGST) on
imports of aircraft components and aircraft engine parts to 5%. The period for export of
goods imported for repairs has been extended from six months to one year and the time-limit
for re-import of goods for repairs under warranty has been extended from three to five years.
******