IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) is looking to develop Andhra Pradesh into a major aviation hub with plans to develop Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) operations as well as a chain of hotels in the south-east Indian state.

The announcement was made after Indigo chairman, Rahul Bhatia, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, held consultative talks late last year about the budget carrier's longterm plans for the region.

"Indigo has agreed to partner with Andhra Pradesh in sectors like hospitality, education and health care. It has evinced interest in setting up a world class university in the state, besides a chain of hotels," a media release said.

The MRO facility will focus on Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) aircraft of which Indigo is a major operator with ninety-six A320-200s.

In a bid to stimulate its aviation industry, Andra Pradesh's local government is also looking to construct international airports in each of the state's 13 districts adding to Vishakhapatnam, its sole international gateway at present. IndiGo currently serves the airport seven times daily linking it non-stop with Bengaluru International, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi International and Hyderabad International.