New Delhi: Air India’s A320 family planes will get extensive component support coverage from SIA Engineering Company Ltd (SIAEC). Air India has entered into a 12-year agreement with SIAEC. SIAEC is part of the Singapore Airlines Group.

The airline in a release on February 21 said, “Besides access to its inventory pool, SIAEC (together with its subsidiaries and joint venture companies with Original Equipment Manufacturers) will also provide repair and overhaul services for airframe and on-wing engine component.” Air India has inked an agreement with SIAEC for Inventory Technical Management (ITM).

Air India in its total fleet of 123 aircraft, has around 60 planes from the A320 family currently, including 320s and 321s. It has also placed an order for 210 A320 family aircraft.

The collaboration will further bolster our repairs and maintenance competencies for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and enhance reliability and availability of components for aircraft operations, said Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Campbell Wilson.

“We are honoured to be selected as Air India Group’s preferred MRO partner for the component requirements and appreciative of their confidence in our Inventory Technical Management programme,” said SIAEC Chief Executive Officer Chin Yau Seng. “Together with our network of joint venture companies and component shops located across the Asia Pacific region, we are confident to deliver a high quality and reliable service to Air India Group,” he added.

The proposed merger of Vistara (a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines) with Air India under a deal is in progress. Announced in November 2022, Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India.