The Air India’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility being built in Bengaluru is not only expected to generate over 1,200 new job opportunities for skilled aviation engineers in India, but it will also create seven times more indirect jobs for the local population, said Air India CEO and managing director Campbell Wilson on Wednesday. The ground-breaking ceremony for the MRO facility on a 35-acre land parcel at the Bangalore International Airport was held this morning.

Studies have found that every job created at the airport had a simulated effect on the economy that resulted in seven more jobs. This is consistent with what we see in other parts of the world,” said Wilson, who addressed a press conference elaborating on the plans of Air India to build a self-reliant aviation eco-system for India.

According to Wilson, Air India has earmarked Rs 1,400 crore for the MRO project, which is expected to become an important hub for Air India’s aircraft maintence