By Staff Correspondent
As India’s skyline stretches endlessly and her aviation sector soars to new heights, one name stands tall as a testament to vision, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence—Air Works Group. This year marks a truly historic milestone as Air Works completes an astounding 75 years of service to the nation. Few enterprises can boast of such a rich legacy and impact, and the journey of Air Works is as fascinating as India’s rise as a global aviation power.
The story began on April 16, 1951, when the pioneering spirits of (Late) Mr. BG Menon and (Late) Mr. PS Menon seeded what would bloom into the backbone of India’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) industry. From their modest beginnings at Mumbai International Airport, maintaining Douglas DC-3s and DC-4s for both local industrialists and international airline giants, they set in motion a legacy of technical mastery and customer trust. Their Atmanirbhar outlook—long before the term became a national rallying cry—guided Air Works to self-reliance, skill development, and innovation.
Through the decades, Air Works expanded its wingspan. It built a comprehensive repertoire, servicing over 50 aircraft types, and established enviable partnerships with global aviation leaders like Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and more. True to their foresight, the founders established a specialized academy in the early 80s, nurturing generations of skilled aircraft maintenance engineers, essential for the country’s self-reliance and expertise.
The turn of the millennium saw Air Works adapt swiftly to the winds of globalization. With the aviation sector evolving rapidly, Air Works not only redefined its organizational strategy but also led the charge in building world-class infrastructure, establishing India’s first EASA-approved private commercial aircraft maintenance facility at Hosur, Tamil Nadu. This bold move brought commercial aircraft MRO within Indian borders, significantly boosting the nation’s indigenous capabilities. Strategic partnerships, such as the JV with Boeing for head-of-state BBJ aircraft, further solidified Air Works’ credentials as a global player, straddling defense, commercial, cargo, and general aviation sectors.
Today, Air Works Group is synonymous with engineering and maintenance excellence. Its abiding commitment to “Fly Assured” is more than a slogan—it is a lived philosophy, evidenced by an enviable roster of loyal customers, including leading airlines, lessors, international OEMs, and India’s own Air Force and Navy. With over 1,600 dedicated employees, a slew of joint ventures, and a history of successful international forays (with a presence in the USA, UK, Europe, the Middle East, and China), Air Works has made India proud on the global aviation map.
What truly sets Air Works apart is its unwavering dedication to shaping the future of Indian MRO. The company has consistently advocated for policies fostering indigenization, skills development, and regulatory harmonization—pillars essential for making India an aviation superpower. More than 90% of its clients are long-term partners, an impressive testament to the trust and reliability that Air Works inspires.
D Anand Bhaskar, MD & CEO, beautifully captures the spirit: “Turning 75 isn’t just a company achievement – but a collective tribute to the faith and commitment of every member of the Air Works family.” Indeed, this anniversary is a celebration not only of corporate success but of the dreams, hard work, and resilience of every single employee, partner, and client who has powered Air Works’ journey.
In a rapidly evolving industry where the sky is not the limit but just the beginning, few organizations dare to look inward, celebrate their people, and pay homage to the very grit and values that made their journey possible. Yet, as Air Works marks its Platinum Anniversary, the company demonstrates its unique, heartfelt ethos by centering its celebrations on its true strength: its employees and their families—those stewards of legacy who have poured dedication and brilliance into the company for years!
The Platinum Anniversary is not merely a milestone, but a testament to resilience, transformation, and above all, people power. Against the grain of outward, market-oriented publicity, Air Works turned its gaze within, hosting pan-India, network-wide events and internal engagements that recognized the outstanding contributions of generations who have fueled its ascent. These are not just employees—they are torchbearers of Air Works’ values and commitments, shaping the company’s storied journey of service to customers while upholding an unyielding promise of excellence.
Among the most inspiring commemorations was the grand, exclusive internal ceremony that brought together the Air Works family in both spirit and purpose. At this special event, a dazzling medallion was unveiled during an elaborate Puja, an emblem of gratitude to the founding fathers and a celebration of every individual who has ever donned the Air Works badge. The medallion shimmered not only with the echoes of the glorious past but with the confidence and vision of a future brimming with promise—a future that daily is being written by the passion and expertise of over 1,600 dedicated professionals.
Director Ravi Menon’s words to younger colleagues encapsulate the company’s ethos: “We never imagined surviving such a long journey in this dynamic industry… Our greatest advantage is our culture and family values that foster collaboration, trust, and transparency.” Indeed, this family spirit is the lifeblood of Air Works. Imagine the transformation: from a modest team of 50-100, growing into a vibrant network spanning 27 cities, with a pan-India footprint second to none!
D Anand Bhaskar echoed this sentiment with palpable pride, pointing to Air Works’ relentless ability to adapt and reinvent—an unwavering readiness for the future. “75 is an inflection point… With the host of initiatives in our pipeline, Air Works will undoubtedly remain at the center of aviation and MRO opportunities,” he declared, underscoring a bright horizon filled with innovation and fresh stories yet to unfold. What shines through these reflections is deep gratitude—not just for the internal Air Works community, but for customers, partners, regulators, and everyone who has believed in the Air Works vision.
Founded in the heart of independent India in 1951, Air Works has soared to become the country’s largest and most diversified independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Today, it services a wide array of clients: from global aviation OEMs and airlines to defence services and private operators, offering everything from heavy checks and line maintenance to sophisticated avionics upgrades and end-of-lease management.
The company’s certified facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur, and Kochi—supported by exceptional in-house shops—stand as fortresses of technical prowess and safety. Beyond fixed-wing aircraft, Air Works is an Authorized Service Centre for industry-leading helicopter manufacturers, with specialized subsidiaries like SA Air Works and Acumen Aviation, making it a true one-stop solution for all things aviation.
As Air Works soars into its next chapter, its 75-year legacy remains rooted in unshakeable values—craftsmanship, safety, and, above all, a talented, united family that places customers at the very center of everything it does. Here’s to the next 75 years of innovation, collaboration, and legendary service—a Platinum Anniversary not just celebrated, but lived every day in the skies above and the hearts within Air Works!
