CFM International (CFM) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL). Under the terms of this agreement, GHIAL and CFM will work towards the development of a new CFM56 Maintenance Training Center at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Hyderabad.
The new training center is envisioned to mirror CFM facilities currently operating in France, the United States, and China, and would initially provide advanced courses in line maintenance and inspection of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines, which power the majority of Airbus A320 family aircraft and all Boeing 737s, respectively. The new center's planned location is in a special economic zone at the airport dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).
"In 2007, we made a commitment to our Indian airline customers to build a new maintenance training school in country to help support the growing aviation industry," said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM. "We are pleased to take this very important step in fulfilling that commitment and are looking forward to developing a long and fruitful relationship with GMR."
"Hyderabad is ideally located for attracting airline mechanics and engineers from India and South Asia," said Paul-Andre Chevrin, CFM International (CFM) vice-president for India. "Once the facility is fully operational, it will be capable of training up to 500 engineers each year."
Mr. G.M. Rao, Group Chairman, GMR Group, commenting on the occasion said, "This very important agreement with CFM, which is the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturer, will benefit India's entire aviation industry. This will help India's airline companies to considerably reduce costs, conserve time, valuable foreign exchange and create huge employment opportunities for Indian youth."
"This is also a significant leap in our vision to develop the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as a hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) facility in South Asia," Mr. Rao added.
CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran Group) and General Electric Company and the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft engines.