GE Aerospace to Invest USD 14 Million to Expand Pune Manufacturing Capability

GE Aerospace has announced a USD 14 million investment to expand capacity at the company’s Pune manufacturing facility as the site completes a decade of successful operations. This investment builds upon the USD 30 million announced last year. The new investment will strengthen the site’s capabilities through upgraded manufacturing processes and automation, including enhancements that support advanced engine components.

“Our team in Pune has built strong capabilities, and with the support of a country-wide network of suppliers, has delivered components for some of our most advanced commercial jet engines, with safety and quality at the forefront,” said Vishwajit Singh, Managing Director of the Pune facility, GE Aerospace. “This investment reflects our commitment to the Make in India initiative and to advancing India’s role in global aerospace manufacturing.”

The Pune facility, which began as a multi-business manufacturing site, has since evolved into a high-tech aerospace parts supplier for GE Aerospace’s global commercial engine factories. Today, the site is supported by a network of more than 300 suppliers serving the Pune facility, part of the over 2,200 suppliers GE Aerospace partners with across India. Over the past 10 years, the facility has trained more than 5,000 production associates in precision manufacturing processes, playing a vital role in developing local talent. The site is also ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, reflecting GE Aerospace’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

The facility’s success is driven by FLIGHT DECK, GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model that emphasizes safety, quality, and efficiency. With FLIGHT DECK, the site has reduced waste, improved process efficiency, and increased output while enhancing shop-floor safety. On a new line for a critical component, it has also achieved shorter lead times, higher productivity, and reduced downtime.

About GE Aerospace in India

GE Aerospace has been a partner to India's aviation industry for over 40 years. 1,400 GE Aerospace and partner engines are in service, powering major Indian airlines. GE Aerospace’s defense engines and systems power the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 and helicopters, and the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier battleships and frigates. Its Pune manufacturing facility and 13 local India partners are part of the company’s global supply chain. Researchers and engineers at the company’s 25-year-old India Technology Centre in Bengaluru are building the latest aviation technologies.

About GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 49,000 commercial and 29,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more at www.geaerospace.com

GE Aerospace, Microsoft and Accenture Develop Gen AI Powered Solution for Aviation Industry

GE Aerospace, in collaboration with Microsoft and Accenture, has developed a generative Al-powered solution aimed at revolutionizing the aviation industry. The first solution unveiled helps airlines and lessors rapidly access maintenance records in just minutes, a process that traditionally took days or even weeks.

GE Aerospace SaaS worked with Accenture to develop the strategic roadmap and generative AI-powered solution, which leverages Microsoft Azure and Azure OpenAI Service. The solution helps customers unlock critical asset information in minutes.

Airlines and lessors can quickly access critical maintenance records, improving efficiency and decision-making. The solution enables more informed decisions regarding aircraft asset tracking and manufacturing.

By automating and speeding up the process, it significantly boosts productivity and reduces manual labor.

Further, the generative AI-powered solution's compliance management helps in tracking and determining the compliance documentation status of aircraft fleets, reducing risk exposure.

This collaboration between GE Aerospace, Microsoft, and Accenture matters for several reasons. By leveraging generative AI to quickly access maintenance records, airlines and lessors can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on manual processes. This leads to substantial cost savings and more efficient operations.

Rapid access to maintenance data allows for quicker and more informed decisions regarding aircraft asset management. This can enhance the reliability and safety of the aircraft, as issues can be identified and addressed promptly.

The solution helps ensure that all necessary compliance documentation is readily available and up-to-date, reducing the risk of regulatory non-compliance and associated penalties.

This initiative showcases the potential of AI to transform the aviation industry. It sets a precedent for future innovations and encourages further investment in AI-driven solutions.

Airlines and lessors that adopt this technology can gain a competitive edge by improving their operational efficiency and reducing downtime. More efficient maintenance processes can contribute to better fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact, aligning with the aviation industry's sustainability goals.

In essence, the Gen AI driven solution resulted from this collaboration not only optimizes current operations but also paves the way for a more advanced and sustainable future in aviation.