GMR Aero Technic has signed a memorandum of understanding with French aerospace company UUDS Aero to establish an aircraft cabin excellence centre at its Hyderabad facility, expanding the range of cabin design, certification, repair and retrofit services available through India’s aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul ecosystem.
The centre will support a range of aircraft cabin interior services, including design, modification, certification, repair, retrofit, refurbishment, manufacturing and installation, the two companies said. The partnership is intended to serve airlines and aircraft operators in India and international markets.
GMR Aero Technic said the proposed centre will combine its existing MRO infrastructure and operational capabilities with UUDS Aero’s expertise in aircraft cabin interior design, engineering, certification and production. The companies described the collaboration as an effort to create an integrated service platform for cabin-related work within the Hyderabad facility.
The announcement places aircraft interiors alongside conventional airframe and maintenance services in the expansion of India’s MRO capabilities. Cabin work can involve modifications, refurbishment and installation, as well as the technical approvals required to return an aircraft to service. Under the partnership, these activities are expected to be brought together through a single centre rather than being handled as separate capabilities.
UUDS Aero holds EASA Part 21J Design Organization Approval and Part 21G Production Organization Approval, according to the companies. These approvals relate to the organisation’s design and production capabilities for aerospace work and are part of the technical expertise that UUDS Aero is expected to contribute to the proposed centre.
Ashok Gopinath, president and accountable manager at GMR Aero Technic, said the collaboration would strengthen the company’s aircraft cabin interior capabilities. “By combining UUDS Aero’s design and certification expertise with GMR Aero Technic’s proven MRO capabilities, we aim to deliver high-quality, integrated cabin solutions to customers across India and international markets,” he said.
The agreement also deepens the role of GMR Aero Technic’s Hyderabad facility as a base for specialised aviation services. The companies said the partnership would focus on developing advanced cabin interior capabilities in India while supporting customers operating in both domestic and international markets.
Ashane Gunaratne, group chief technology officer and managing director—Middle East at UUDS Aero, said the partnership reflected the French company’s long-term commitment to the Indian aviation market. He said the two organisations would bring together technical strengths in cabin design, engineering, certification, manufacturing and MRO.
The two companies said the collaboration aims to develop end-to-end cabin solutions, advance technical capabilities and create shared value for their customers and organisations. The announcement did not provide a commissioning date, investment figure, projected workforce or details of specific airline contracts linked to the proposed centre.
