Boeing opens first parts distribution center in India as demand surges

Airlines Air Indias Boeing 787 suffered a burst tire upon takeoff from Delhi India
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Boeing has opened a new parts distribution facility in Khurja in India to support one of the world’s fastest growing aviation nations.  

The 36,000-sq ft distribution center is Boeing’s eighth parts facility globally and the first in India. 

On January 15, 2024, Boeing announced the facility had officially opened, although the first set of parts were sent out to customers in December 2023. 

“This center will support the emergent needs of spare parts for Boeing aircraft in India, reducing lead times, improving availability, and supporting the MRO industry here,” Boeing India President Salil Gupte said. 
 
Details surrounding the new distribution center in India were first announced in 2023 at Aero India in Bengaluru. 

“The India Distribution Center represents another significant step forward in Boeing’s strategy to provide parts and services when and where customers need them,” William Ampofo, Vice President for parts and distribution services and supply chain, Boeing Global Services, said. 

The facility is located near to Delhi and Noida International Airport (DXN), which is still undergoing construction, and will be operated in collaboration with logistics provider DB Schenker

“The complexities of warehousing and logistics, combined with Boeing’s distinctive needs, provided us with an opportunity to build an innovative setup that meets the distinct spares support requirements of India’s growing aviation industry,” said Kinjal Pande, Chief Executive Officer at DB Schenker, Cluster India, and Indian Subcontinent. 
 
Boeing projects that India will require approximately 2,210 new planes over the next two decades of which 1,983 units will be for single-aisle jets, while 227 units or 10% of new airplane deliveries will be for widebody jets. 

In February 2023, Air India placed an order for 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (of both the –8 and –10 versions), 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 of the up-and-coming Boeing 777-9. 

The deal also included 50 options for additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 20 for Boeing 787-9 planes as well as a comprehensive services package that would cover the next few decades.