Vandana Aircraft Services Pvt. Ltd. (VASPL) is emerging as one of India’s most dynamic cabin interior specialists, combining engineering expertise with global certifications to deliver innovative refurbishment, composite repair, and interior upgrade solutions. As airlines and lessors increasingly view cabin design as a strategic differentiator, VASPL is positioning itself not just as a maintenance provider but as a partner in creating lighter, smarter, and more passenger-focused interiors.
In this exclusive conversation with Aircraft Interiors Today, Poonam Bhardwaj, executive director at VASPL, discusses the company’s growth journey, trends shaping cabin design, and its roadmap for international expansion. She also highlights how VASPL is differentiating itself through its dual role as both a certified repair station and production organisation—bridging compliance with creativity in the fast-evolving aircraft interiors market.
Q. The aviation sector is undergoing rapid transformation, from digitalisation to a growing emphasis on interior upgrades and regulatory compliance. How is VASPL positioning itself within this evolving landscape, and what strategic steps are being taken to stay ahead?
A. At VASPL, we’ve aligned our growth strategy with the twin drivers of the industry, digitalisation and customised cabin upgrades. A major milestone in our journey has been our entry into EASA-regulated projects, which signals not only our technical competence but also our readiness to operate at par with the most stringent global standards. Our in-house engineering team integrates CAD/CAM-based design workflows with regulatory-approved processes, allowing us to move from RFQ to certified delivery in record timelines. We are also investing in enhancing our composite capabilities to the next level, with advanced repair and manufacturing solutions that anticipate the industry’s shift towards lighter and more weight-optimised next generation cabin solutions. By combining EASA/DGCA certification expertise with manufacturing agility, we ensure that every project is not just compliant but future-ready.
Q. How has VASPL’s customer base evolved over the past decade, and what changes have you observed in their expectations, especially post-COVID?
A. Post-COVID, customer expectations have evolved dramatically. Earlier, the primary driver was cost optimisation. Today, the emphasis has shifted to value across the lifecycle; airlines and lessors want solutions that reduce downtime, ensure predictable maintenance cycles, and provide a single point of accountability from design through to certification. There is also a much stronger expectation around flexibility, the ability to customise solutions quickly without compromising on compliance.
At VASPL, we’ve adapted by creating integrated service packages that bring together repair, manufacturing, certification, and even on-site installation under one umbrella. This approach allows our customers to avoid the inefficiency of dealing with multiple vendors. Instead, they get a strategic partner who not only executes but also anticipates challenges, shortens turnaround times, and ensures regulatory peace of mind. It’s this shift, from being a transactional service provider to a lifecycle partner, that has defined our growth in recent years.
Over the past decade, our customer profile has diversified, from working mainly with domestic scheduled carriers to also serving charter operators, OEM partners, and, through collaborations, gaining exposure to the expectations of global lessors. This diversification has given us a deeper understanding of different operational realities, whether it’s the scale of a major airline, the agility required by a charter operator, or the compliance-driven needs of an OEM.
Q. Are you seeing increased demand from the regional aircraft or charter segment, and how is VASPL tailoring solutions for these operators?
A. Absolutely, we’re seeing significant growth from regional and charter operators, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, where fleet modernisation is accelerating. These customers need flexible, high-quality solutions without the long lead times associated with large OEM supply chains. For them, we offer modular seat refurbishment programs, rapid cabin reconfiguration services, and mobile teams capable of on-site execution, all backed by certified releases.
Q. What trends are emerging in aircraft interior design and functionality, from materials to passenger experience, and how is VASPL adapting to meet these expectations?
A. Cabin interiors are now viewed as a strategic differentiator, with airlines moving towards lightweight composites, antimicrobial textiles, and ergonomically advanced designs that improve both passenger comfort and operating efficiency. The push is no longer just aesthetic, interiors must deliver tangible value, from lower fuel burn through weight optimisation to reduced maintenance cycles with durable, easy-to-replace components.
A key trend is the demand for modular, quick-change cabins that allow operators to reconfigure layouts rapidly for seasonal or route-specific needs. This agility is becoming central to competitive positioning.
At VASPL, we’ve responded by developing a library of pre-certified materials and interchangeable design templates, enabling customers to implement new interior concepts faster while ensuring regulatory compliance. Our strength lies in combining speed, flexibility, and certification discipline, giving airlines an edge in a fast-changing market.
Q. VASPL offers a diverse range of services, from seat repair to composite work. Which service segments are experiencing the most growth, and what factors are driving this demand?
A. The strongest momentum for us today is in composite repair, as modern fleets increasingly use lightweight panels and components that require specialised, certified repair capabilities. We’ve invested in taking our composite expertise to the next level, which has positioned us as one of the few regional players able to deliver this at scale.
Alongside this, upholstery and soft furnishings, from bespoke seat covers to carpets and cushions, are growing rapidly. Airlines are placing more emphasis on frequent cabin refresh cycles to keep pace with branding and passenger experience expectations, and they want partners who can deliver faster than traditional OEM supply chains.
A third growth driver is lessor and leasing transition support. With aircraft frequently changing hands, there is a rising demand for quick, compliance-ready cabin turnarounds, whether it’s cosmetic upgrades, rebranding, or certified refurbishment before redelivery. This segment is still underserved in India, and VASPL is positioning itself strongly to fill that gap.
Together, these areas highlight how VASPL is moving beyond routine repair to becoming a strategic interiors partner, supporting operators and lessors in enhancing asset value, reliability, and passenger appeal.
Q. With increasing focus on safety, sustainability, and certification, how does VASPL ensure alignment with DGCA and global compliance frameworks, particularly in refurbishment and component integration?
A. Compliance is at the core of our workflow, never an afterthought. Every repair or manufactured component at VASPL undergoes a dual verification process: first, engineering compliance under EASA Part 21, and then release under DGCA/FAA/EASA Part 145 or Part 21G, depending on the requirement. This structured approach ensures that every item leaving our facility is not only airworthy but also aligned with the most stringent global standards.
By embedding certification into every stage of the process, from design review to final release, we provide our customers with absolute assurance on safety, traceability, and regulatory alignment. It’s this rigor that allows VASPL to work seamlessly with international operators and lessors, who demand nothing short of full compliance.
Q. How do you differentiate VASPL’s offerings in a competitive MRO market, especially when working with international clients?
A. The MRO market is intensely competitive, but where VASPL stands apart is in our dual capability; we operate both as a certified repair station and as a production organisation. This combination is rare. It means that customers don’t have to choose between repairing a component and sourcing a new one; we can advise the most cost-effective and technically sound path, and deliver either option with the same level of certification assurance.
Another key differentiator is agility. Many global MROs have scale, but they lack speed because of bureaucratic processes and long supply chains. At VASPL, we’ve designed our operations to provide shorter turnaround times without compromising quality, something our clients, especially in leasing and charter operations, value deeply.
We also differentiate through certification depth and global alignment. With EASA/FAA projects under our scope and DGCA compliance embedded, we give international clients the peace of mind that a project executed in India will stand up to the highest standards anywhere in the world.
Finally, our geographical position gives us a unique edge. Based in India, we are strategically located to serve airlines and lessors across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, regions that are expanding rapidly and looking for cost-efficient, certified partners. Combined with our customer-centric model, offering integrated packages from repair to installation, this positions VASPL not just as another MRO, but as a strategic partner who balances global compliance with regional agility and cost advantage.
Q. Is international expansion on the radar for VASPL? Are there specific regions or strategic partners you’re targeting?
A. Yes, we are actively exploring partnerships in the Middle East, ASEAN, and Africa. Our focus is on forming technology-sharing and capability-exchange alliances with regional MROs and OEM representatives. The model is to offer our certified manufacturing and interior refurbishment capabilities as an extension to partners who may not have those capabilities in-house, enabling us to enter new markets without heavy infrastructure investment.
Q. What is the next major milestone for VASPL in the next 3–5 years, and how do you envision the company contributing to India’s growing MRO ecosystem?
A. With our new manufacturing plant now operational, VASPL has significantly expanded its capacity with advanced machinery, increased manpower, and the infrastructure to take on larger and more complex cabin programs. This facility is already enabling us to deliver at a different scale while maintaining the certification standards our customers expect.
We are also enhancing our design cell, strengthening engineering capabilities, and moving towards more development-driven projects rather than limiting ourselves to repair and refurbishment. At the same time, we are in the process of securing AS9100D certification, which will align us with global aerospace quality standards and position us for deeper collaboration with international partners.
Coupled with expanded composite repair capability and the automation of upholstery lines, these developments represent a decisive step in VASPL’s evolution, from a trusted MRO partner to a design-integrated interiors organisation that can offer certified repair, manufacturing, and development under one roof.
