WORKING AGENDA DAY 2
April 12, 2025 [Saturday]
​4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
EMERGING TRENDS IN AVIATION MRO INDUSTRY
Programme accurate as on 02 April 2025
09:00 – 10:00
Registration & Tea
10:00 – 10:30
Auditorium
Opening Remarks
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Opening Address:
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Shri. Rajiv Pratap Rudy*, Member of Parliament, Former Minister of Civil Aviation​​​
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Gp. Capt. GVG Yugandhar, Director General, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau
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Special Address:​
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Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, National Law University Delhi
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Shri. Andy Kotwani, Chairman, Aviakul Group of Companies
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Shri. Vaibhav Varun, Managing Director, Aviakul Group of Companies
10:30 – 11:00
Auditorium
[FS-01] Fireside Chat
CEO’s Perspective: Are we tech ready?
The Fireside Chat, CEO’s Perspective: Are We Tech Ready? will feature a leading MRO CEO discussing the industry's digital transformation, automation, and sustainability-driven innovations. With ICAO’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and the rapid rise of technological innovations, leading MRO providers are beginning to adopt AI – driven predictive maintenance, IoT based fleet monitoring, blockchain for MRO records, robotics, AR/VR-assisted maintenance, 3D printing and digital twins to optimize operations. However, challenges persist, including workforce reskilling, regulatory complexities, rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and cybersecurity threats.
As we navigate these challenges, key questions arise: How can Indian MROs compete globally despite regulatory and cost pressures? What strategies can airlines and MROs implement to enhance predictive maintenance through data sharing? How can academia and industry collaborate to train the next-gen workforce in AI-driven diagnostics and composite repairs? How can cybersecurity risks be mitigated as Indian MROs adopt IoT enabled fleet monitoring system? The discussion will spark deeper insights into India’s readiness for the next wave of digital transformation to position India as a global MRO leader.
Moderator:
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Shri. Vaibhav Varun, Managing Director, Aviakul Group of Companies
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Speaker:
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Shri. Sharad Agarwal*, Chief Executive Officer, Air India Engineering Service Limited (AIESL)
11:00 – 12:00
Auditorium
[PA-04] Panel Discussion
Engine MRO: Challenges & way forward
The Panel Discussion on Engine MRO: Challenges & Way Forward will explore the strategies to enhance India’s self-reliance in engine maintenance, reduce foreign dependency, and integrate digitalization, predictive maintenance, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As the aviation industry expands, engine MRO remains critical to ensure fleet reliability and cost efficiency. With the global engine MRO market projected to reach $42.71 billion by 2025 and $58.16 billion by 2030, key developments such as Safran’s $200 million MRO investment in Hyderabad and the growing presence of next-gen engines like LEAP, GTF, and Trent XWB highlight the need for regulatory reforms, capacity expansion, supply chain resilience, and skill development.
The panel will address critical questions: Can India become a global engine MRO hub? How can certification and approvals be streamlined? What best practices can mitigate supply chain disruptions? How can compliance be simplified while maintaining safety? The discussion will pave the way forward for the future of India’s engine MRO sector.
Moderator:
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Col. Kandadai V Kuber (Retd.), Director - Aerospace and Defence, Ernst & Young LLP
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Panellists:
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Shri. Ashok Gopinath, President & Accountable Manager, GMR Aero Technic
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Shri. Ashwani Acharya, Chief Operating Officer, Indamer Technics Private Limited
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Shri. Jetendra Gavankar, Chief Executive Officer, Safran India
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Shri. Ravindranath Singh Thakur, Executive Director, Air India Engineering Service Limited (AIESL)
12:00 – 13:00
Auditorium
[PA-05] Panel Discussion
Helicopter MRO: Empowering the Rotorcraft Maintenance
The helicopter MRO sector is crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of rotorcraft across civil, defense, emergency services, and emerging urban air mobility (UAM) applications. The Panel Discussion on Helicopter MRO: Empowering Rotorcraft Maintenance will bring forth key stakeholders – operators, MRO providers, Indian Air Force representatives, manufacturers, and industry experts to explore solutions for strengthening India’s helicopter MRO ecosystem. With the global helicopter MRO market projected to reach $12.34 billion by 2030, India still heavily depends on foreign MRO facilities due to limited local infrastructure, high operational costs, high import duties on spare parts, regulatory hurdles, and a shortage of skilled technicians.
The panel will discuss: How can India develop indigenous helicopter MRO capabilities? How can regulations be streamlined to attract investments in the sector? Should military helicopter MRO be opened to private players? The discussion will pave the way forward for India’s path to becoming a global rotorcraft MRO hub.
Moderator:
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AVM KAA Sanjeeb VSM*, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Maintenance Plans), Indian Air Force
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Panellists:
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Shri. K. Chandrasekhar, Founder & Accountable Manager, Yetih Air Services Private Limited
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Shri. Jitendra Singh Negi, General Manager (AME & MRO), Pawan Hans Limited
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Shri. J P Modi, Senior Vice President Quality & CAMO, OSS Air Management Private Limited
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Shri. Rajinder Singh Passi, Chief of Flight Safety, Chipsan Aviation Private Limited
13:00 – 14:00
LUNCH
Digitalization of MRO – Data driven decision making
The Keynote Lecture: Digitalization of MRO – Data-Driven Decision Making will delve into how data driven decision making leveraging AI, IoT-based monitoring, blockchain-secured records, enhances fleet efficiency, streamline supply chains and optimizes asset utilization. With the global digital aerospace MRO market projected to grow at 13.9% CAGR, reaching $1.72 billion by 2029, and 81% of aerospace firms adopting AI/ML tools, going digital has become the driving force behind operational excellence and sustainable growth. However, challenges remain – ensuring seamless cross-industry data sharing, cybersecurity, tech integration.
The expert will address: How can the digital records be harmonized among regulatory authorities, OEMs, airlines, or MRO Providers? What are the challenges in standardizing data formats for effective interoperability? Should India establish a dedicated regulatory framework for cybersecurity in digital aviation MRO? What strategies can MRO providers adopt to manage the high costs of digital transformation? This session will provide key insights into overcoming these barriers and leveraging digitalization for a smarter, more resilient MRO ecosystem
14:00 – 14:15
Auditorium
[KL-01] Keynote Lecture
Speaker:
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Shri. Prakash Babu Devara, Head of Product Marketing (Aviation), Ramco Systems
Role of Drones in MRO
The Fireside Chat will illuminate the burgeoning role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in revolutionizing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) practices within the aviation industry. By leveraging drones for inspections, surveys, and maintenance tasks, MRO operations stand to benefit from increased efficiency, reduced downtime, and enhanced safety protocols. The integration of drones into MRO workflows signifies a paradigm shift towards automation and precision, offering significant cost savings and operational advantages.
This discussion aligns seamlessly with the conference's overarching theme, "India 2047: A Global MRO Hub," as it underscores how the adoption of drone technology positions India as a frontrunner in embracing innovative solutions for MRO excellence. Drones emerge as a pivotal tool in India's journey towards becoming a global leader in MRO services, driving efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness within the aviation sector.
14:15 – 14:45
Auditorium
[FS-02] Fireside Chat
Speakers:
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Shri. Aman Johri, Chief Executive Officer, Jatayu Unmanned Systems
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TBD, TBD
Upskilling future MRO Workforce
The Panel discussion on Upskilling Future MRO Workforce will focus on the need to align the practical industrial training with that of policy framework. As India’s MRO industry is expanding rapidly, with global players increasing their presence, there is an estimated demand 34,000 new AMEs by 2042. The efficient policy formulation for the sustainable growth of the industry is the need of the hour. Despite efforts by NSDC and training institutes, gaps in regulatory governance, standardized curricula framework, training infrastructure, and visible disconnect in industry’s practical needs & policy formulation persist. Advanced technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and digital twins are being introduced in AME training, but the lack of recognition at the university and higher education levels limits career progression for aviation industry professionals for participation policy formulation, which is critical for the efficient growth of the industry.
Key questions include: How can regulations align with industry needs? How can the gap between industry skills and policy formulation be bridged? What role does technology play in AME training? How can India create a sustainable talent pipeline? Should India establish a dedicated MRO Skill Council, and how should it be structured? This panel will explore bridging the talent gap, enhancing training infrastructure, implementing skill-centric regulatory reforms, strengthening industry-academia partnerships, to standardize training and certification.
14:45 – 15:45
Auditorium
[PA-06] Panel Discussion
Moderator:
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Smt. Poonam Chawla, Associate Publisher, Air Cargo Update & Founder, International Women Board of Directors
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Panellists:
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Shri. Ashwani Sharma, Chairperson, Aeronautical Society of India (Mumbai)
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Shri. Manuel Munari, Managing Director & Flight Instructor, AviaMEA, United Arab Emirates
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Shri. Rajendra Mane, Training Manager, School for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Interglobe Education)
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TBD, TBD