Lokesh discusses aviation expansionplans with Air India CEO

Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh met Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson here on Wednesday, and discussed the development of the aviation sector in the State. During the meeting, Lokesh highlighted the achievements of the State’s air traffic, noting that the seven operational airports in Andhra Pradesh have successfully handled 5.251 million passengers.
The Minister proposed the establishment of a Regional Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub at Visakhapatnam Airport, stressing that such a facility would not only boost the local economy but also enhance Air India’s operational efficiency. He also suggested the creation of an international airport within the CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority) area, similar to Dubai, spanning 3,000 to 5,000 acres.
“This new airport,” he argued, “would play a crucial role in global aviation, attracting international traffic and investment to Andhra Pradesh.”
In addition, the Minister proposed the establishment of training centres for pilots, stewards and technical teams in the State. Citing the Government Aviation Training Institute, he highlighted the need to produce 20,000 pilots in India over the next decade. He urged the creation of flying schools in Andhra Pradesh to help meet this demand and provide relief to existing pilots.
In response, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged the importance of MRO hubs and mentioned that Air India already operates hubs in major cities across the country. He shared that the airline is considering additional MRO hubs in other cities and recently inaugurated a new MRO facility in Bengaluru to improve operational efficiency. Wilson also discussed Air India’s plans for fleet upgrades, the introduction of advanced aircraft, and significant investments in infrastructure and technology to strengthen the airline’s global presence.
The Minister also met Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman of Wipro, and explained the rapid development of IT operations in Andhra Pradesh, specifically in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati, in line with Wipro’s growth strategy and regional expansion plans. The Minister emphasised the State’s potential to foster an IT workforce skilled in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and renewable energy. Lokesh also proposed the establishment of global delivery centres and R&D hubs in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
Highlighting the growing IT ecosystem in the State, the Minister mentioned that several major companies, including HCL, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Zoho, WNS Global Services, and Syant, have already set up operations in Andhra Pradesh. He also noted that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expected to soon establish a presence in Visakhapatnam. Lokesh assured Rishad Premji that the State provides a highly conducive environment for IT companies to thrive.
In response, Premji shared that Wipro plans to invest around ?8,000 crore in the next five years in the manufacturing and R&D sectors under its GE Healthcare division in India. He highlighted that Wipro operates in over 50 countries, employing 250,000 people globally, and generates an annual revenue of ?90,000 crore with a market capitalisation of `3.5 lakh crore.