Jet likely to set up MRO facility in Chennai

Jet Airways is examining the possibility of locating its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations and flight training academy in Chennai, Chairman Naresh Goyal said on Sunday.

Goyal said Jet Airways was keen on setting up aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in the south.

"We are looking at Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad to set up an MRO facility. However, Chennai will be a priority location for this operation as well as for setting up a flight training academy," he said.

He was addressing a function on the launch of Jet's Chennai-Toronto flight, which will go through Brussels. Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram flagged off the inaugural flight.

Jet Airways is in discussions with a some international players like Lufthansa on the MRO facility and it expects to finalise plans in the next few weeks.

The flight academy will train pilots and engineers, and also staff for ground support, commercial operations and inflight crew. The academy will also train staff for other airlines.

Goyal also hinted that Jet Airways would float a dedicated cargo airline next year. He said that with Indian exports soaring there was huge potential for separate cargo operations.

Besides, the government had also created a more liberalised regime for imports. Cargo operations account for 6-7 per cent of the Jet's revenues and the company intends to increase that to 10 per cent this fiscal.

The Airbus 330-200 flight from Chennai to Toronto is the airline's first long-haul service from the southern region.

The flight takes off from Chennai at 0115 hrs and arrives in Brussels at 0715 hrs. It will depart Brussels at 0915 hrs and arrive in Toronto at 1255 hrs. These times will be changed from November 4. The inaugural economy return fare is Rs 36,000 plus taxes.