Aerospace

Boeing opens first parts distribution center in India

Boeing’s India footprint expands with a 36,000-square-foot hub at Khurja, Uttar Pradesh
Parts warehouse will help regional aviation customers maintain higher fleet utilization

Boeing, the prominent U.S. aerospace company, has officially inaugurated a new warehousing facility in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to the supply of aircraft parts.

Collaborating with third-party logistics provider DB Schenker, the 36,000-square-foot India Distribution Centre is designed to support regional aviation customers in optimizing fleet utilization. This strategic move reflects a commitment to fostering the growth of the Indian market, aligning with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision.

Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India, emphasized the center’s significance in meeting the evolving spare parts needs for boeing aircraft in India. By reducing lead times, improving availability, and supporting the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry, the facility aims to enhance operational efficiency in the region. Boeing’s India Distribution Centre is the eighth of its kind globally, showcasing the company’s dedication to providing timely and accessible parts and services.

William Ampofo, Vice President of Parts & Distribution Services and Supply Chain at Boeing Global Services, highlighted the facility’s role in advancing Boeing planes strategy to deliver parts and services precisely when and where customers require them.

The decision to invest in this distribution center was initially announced during the Aero India event in February 2023, signaling Boeing 737 max 8 commitment to supporting growth and self-reliance objectives in India. boeing 787 Positioned strategically along India’s Eastern Freight Corridor, in proximity to Delhi and the upcoming Jewar airport, the distribution center reinforces Boeing 777 300er strategic positioning to contribute to India’s aviation industry expansion.

The new distribution center marks Boeing’s most recent development in India, following a series of substantial investments and agreements aimed at bolstering the growth of the civil aviation industry in the country. These initiatives encompass a partnership with GMR Aero Technic to establish a Boeing Converted Freighter line in Hyderabad and the establishment of a Global Support Center in Gurgaon. Additionally, Boeing has committed a $100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to support India’s growing demand for pilots in the coming two decades

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.